This is my first time posting; I've been lurking for a while but heard
about you people a long time ago, when I was volunteering in a BF
clinic. Hope to become an LC some day, meanwhile am enjoying work in the
community! Great stuff on Lactnet!
This isn't technical info. re: mastitis, just a reminder about some
basic things. I was interested to hear that many moms with over-supply
have problems with mastitis -- not my experience! More often than
"mechanical" reasons, a number of moms I've worked with and I have found
it is any change of pattern in the baby's nursing. I remind moms that
even older babies need to be encouraged to open wide; I've found that
when they're teething they sometimes slip down and clamp down or chew on
the nipple; even a little bit of this can cause mastitis in some moms
because the ducts aren't all milked properly. Pull baby in close, change
positions as soon as any soreness is felt, and sometimes the prompt
action helps.
I was also interested in that discussion of PPD vs. BF problems. Sore
nipples make you feel bad in your heart as well as your chest, but I've
also found mastitis to put mothers -- including myself -- into a real
slump. They should be told how beautiful and wonderful their baby is and
encouraged to snuggle in bed and forget the dishes.
Jo-Anne in Fredericton

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