Hi,

An interesting article in Australian Newspapers today (the Age and The
Sydney Morning Herald 'Good Weekend' magazine) by Dr Karl Kruzselnicki
(usually a breastfeeding supporter) in the Mythconceptions column,  .

'Unfortunately, up to 25 % of  breastfeeding mothers experience some kind of
mastitis.  They are often
told that this is because of "blocked milk ducts'.  But is this just a myth?
...Stuff about the physiology of the breast...
'"Mastitis" means "inflammation of the breast".  This often happens between
two and five weeks after a baby is born.  The affected breast can range from
almost normal to red, hot, swollen and very tender and, in extreme cases, be
shiny with red streaks.."(.more symptoms..) "Practically all the information
given to nursing mothers says there are two types..."non-infective" is said
to be caused by blocked milk ducts and symptoms aren't too extreme.
'Infective mastitis" is usually caused by infection with a bacterium called
staphlococcus, and results in the worst symptoms."
.(..good stuff about bacterial (staphlococcul) growth) "...Most mastitis is
caused by such bacteria with a much smaller percentage caused by
engorgement due to a missed feed, trauma and so on.  Today, many medical
authorities still talk about mastitis being caused by "blocked milk ducts"
but specialist breast physicians say that they almost never, if ever, see
these mythical "blocked milk ducts".

So, is he right?  Can anyone shed some light on this?

Barb Glare
Warrnambool, Vic Australia
Australian Breastfeeding Association Counsellor

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