Laurena, I don't have answers to all of your questions, but perhaps I
can help you with how to get the milk out. This breast is swollen, so
milk ducts are closed down. Try ice packs for 20 minutes before pumping,
then massage. What type of pump is she using, and how is she adjusting
the suction level? You stated that she is not an experienced pumper.
Many inexperienced moms turn the suction on any pump up high, thinking
to get more milk out, when the opposite is true with a very engorged or
swollen breast. They also are frequently trying to get by with a small
battery type pump. I would encourage her to use a hospital grade rental
pump and leave the suction at a minimum level.
Is there an IBCLC nearby that she can work with hands-on, who can assess
this breast and work with mom, doc and you to help this mom?
Flossie Rollhauser, IBCLC, RLC


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Date:    Sun, 25 Jan 2004 22:54:59 -0800
From:    Laurena Typusiak <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Mastitis question

I've searched the archives but found many posts but none quite the
same...sorry if I should have searched longer but maybe I didn't have
the search words quite right.

A couple of questions about mastitis...a mother of a one year old
nursling, noticed a white blister on Thursday, cleared it with a needle.
Friday came down with fever, chills, red, hot breast.  Dr. prescribed
Apo-cephales, 500 mg 4X per day.  Today, Sunday, the mom is no longer
having chills or flu-like symptoms but says the breast is worse.
Describes the whole breast as purple, nipple is 4X the size.  Shiny hot
breast, very engorged but mom can't get milk out.  Baby won't nurse on
that side. Mom has history of plugged ducts.

So my question is, if the flu-like symptoms have eased, does that mean
the infection is getting better?  Why would the breast seem worse?
Abscess?  So quickly?  And, is there any reason - other than possible
tension and lack of experience pumping - why mom can't get milk out?

Thanks for any suggestions,
Laurena
LLLL

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