Hi all,
I saw a Mum today who is expecting her second child in 8 weeks.
Her last breastfeeding experience was very good until the baby was 4
weeks old. She developed mastitis then and took antibiotics immediately.
However within 3 days an abscess had come to the surface and burst. It
was opened up and drained but took 8 weeks to heal, it was very deep.
Within a week of it apparently healing the abscess had returned, this
time treated by aspiration.
Mum says 3 women in her family have had a breast abscess when they were
NOT breastfeeding!
Mum is wondering what to do when this baby is born. Part of her wants to
breastfeed because she loved it before the problem started. However the
thought of a repeat of the pain, the mess, and the depression she felt
are making her unsure.

We discussed:
Go for breastfeeding on both sides, checking breast drainage etc and see
what happens.
Feed on the good side only, let the other one dry up.
Go on antibiotics when baby is born and breastfeed both sides.

What would you all suggest?

Regards,
--
Carolyn Westcott RN IBCLC