I have experienced Mastitis with both of my children. I ended up with an
abscess and an early weaning with my son but with my daughter I had excellent
support and a bit of experience to help me get through it.
This is what I have found has hurt and helped me and other women.
1. Pumping can cause clogged ducts. I was able to trace back almost every
bout (9) of Mastitis but the first 2 to pumping. A day or two after I pumped
I would get Mastitis. As soon as I gave away my pump I never had another bout
again. I used a pump and style and Advent hand pump. I do wonder if a
Hospital grade pump would have caused the same problems but was never willing
to risk it.
2. Hot showers work better than compresses. I advise women with clogged ducts
and
Mastitis to get in a hot shower at least 4 times a day for at least 5 minutes
at a time and massage the breast towards the nipple. If possible they should
try to nurse the baby when they get out. If not, I suggest hand expression.
Since being in the shower can be boring I always suggest that they bring a
radio into the bathroom to listen to while in the shower.
3. I used sage tincture to reduce my supply. I must warn that sage is very
powerful and if over used will dry up a once abundant supply.
4. Echinecea helps fight the infection as does vitamin C.
5. Lecithin(sp?) is a fat emulsifier that you can get in a health food store.
Many women swear by this.
6. Try to stay away from antibiotics. Once you take them it can be very hard
to get rid of the original infection and you can end up with a vicious cycle
of antibiotics and Mastitis. If a woman need to build up her immunity she can
speak to someone who is knowledgeable in herb that are OK to use when nursing.
I hope this is helpful.
Beth Schwartz LLLL
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