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
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