Hello, my name is Tobey Schall, and I am a nursing student at
the University of North Dakota.
I just have a few comments on the issues of washing the nipples
with soap and developing mastitis.  I nursed my son until he was 2
years old.  During that time, I developed mastitis once, when my
son was about one year old.  I was not informed from my Dr. not to
wash my nipples with soap, which during the whole time I breastfed
was a normal occurance for me.  I showered daily, and I washed with
soap.  I do not really associate this with me devoloping mastitis.
In a study I found about the difference of sore nipples in women
who washed regularly and women who just kept their nipples clean by
their daily shower or bath, showed no difference in the incidences
of sore or cracked nipples (Centuori, Burmaz, Ronfani, et al.,
1999).  I beleive that I developed mastitis because my son
liked to nurse on one of my breasts more than the other (right more
than left).  I beleive that milk stasis was the reason for my
development of mastitis, because I only developed it in my left
breast.  According to Mohrbacher and Stock (1997),frequent nursing will
prevent mastitis from becoming worse and aid in its treatment.  Well, my son
would not nurse at all from this side, and I did not pump frequently,
either.  I blame my lack of knowledge here to this situation.  My left
breast was even smaller than the right,
because it was not being used.  When I offered the left breast, he
would not accept it.  It may have had a different taste because of
stasis, because when I offered it, he would latch on for about 2-3
seconds and let go ,like he was in disgust that I had evened
offered the left breast.  He would cry until the right breast was
offered. Some characteristics of milk stasis are engorgement,
blocked ducts and thick milk according to Fetherston (1998).  I had all
of these symptoms in the left breast.  My milk had a thick, creamy
texture and my breast was always engorged due to the lack of use.
I believe I was not well informed about breastfeeding when I
started, being a first time mother and all.  The reason that he
became accustomed to the right breast is because my right arm is my
dominant, and it was easier for me to hold him in this arm.  I now
know that with my next children, I will definitely offer both
breasts equally.  That was the only time throughout the 2 years
that I ever had mastitis, and I still continued to use soap to
wash.  I never had any other problems with breastfeeding during the
time I nursed my son.
Tobey Schall, SN

     Centuori, S., Burmaz, T., Ronfani, L., Fragiacomo, M.,

Quintero, S., Pavan, C., Davanzo, R., & Cattaneo, A.  (1999).  Nipple

care, sore nipples, and breastfeeding: a randomized trial.  Journal of

Human Lactation, 15(2), 125-130.

     Fetherston, C.  (1998).  Risk factors for lactation mastitis.

Journal of Human Lactation, 14(2), 101-109.

     Mohrbacher, N., Stock, J.  (1997).  The breastfeeding answer

book (Rev. ed.).  Schaumburg, IL:  La Leche League.





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