Amy, There is a good section in the Breastfeeding Answer Book on recurrent mastitis. I always go through the whole list. Stress can be a factor and other not so obvious causes are too much saturated fat in the diet or too much or too little sodium. Ruth Lawrence recommends a tablespoon of lecithin per day. This mom's natural defenses are probably pretty depleted from so much antibiotic use. A midwife I work with recommends echinacea tincture, Vitamin C, and comfrey compresses. Also for a breast that is hot, red with streaks, sudden onset, the homeopathic remedy, Belladonna. I have had a few mothers now give up on breastfeeding because of recurrent mastitis. It is heartbreaking. I am ready to try something different if the antibiotic route isn't working. Marilee Woodworth, IBCLC, LLLL, Ann Arbor, MI [log in to unmask]