Using a shield to prevent mastitis?  That's a new one on me.  Sounds
like the Ped perceived it as helping in one case and now suggests it
to everyone.  It seems to me that, if anything, it would increase
the liklihood of suboptimal drainage!  If a baby is draining more
areas with that without a shield, I would first suspect the latch.
(This is for term babies.)
Did the mom experience any plugged ducts before the mastitis?  If
so, then I would look at positioning, latch and milk transfer.  I
would also determine if it starts in the same area of the breast(s)
which might give you a clue (underwire bra, for example).  If not,
then I would look to a bacterial cause as primary.  Is it possible
she is harboring a "bug" that flares upafter delivery?   At 3 weeks,
I would look at what changes, if any, are occurring for this mom and
her babies at this time since it seems to be a pattern (a pattern of
only 2, but worth looking at).  Is she getting careless about her
diet as she resumes other activities?  Is she starting to pump
around this time?  Anything about her technique or the pump she uses
that could contribute?  Is she changing her size and style of bra at
this point, since the initial fullness has probably lessened and if
so, is it not supporting effectively?
If you are able to see this mom at about 10 days to 2 weeks, I would
suggest a thorough breast evaluation at that point to be sure she
isn't developing any problems with drainage.  Perhaps those
knowledgable with herbals can recommend something that would help.
Some docs might prescribe an antibiotic as a precaution before
symptoms develop, but that would concern me as we overuse
antibiotics already which is one reason so many resistant ones are
developing!

Winnie

             ***********************************************

To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail
To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest)
To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
All commands go to [log in to unmask]

The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM)
mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html