Another case sacrificed on the alter of ignorance.
In  my practice I have only had one infant diagnosed with mastitis. This was
a baby girl that was adopted at 12 weeks ( and went to breast like a trooper
at that point). At  7-8 weeks she was hospitilized with such a severe
infection that she almost died. The  abcess had to be surgically drained and
a drain was in place for over a week. Needless to say she was formula fed at
that time (in foster care). I reminded the adopted mother that this would
count as prior breast surgery when this little girl was old enough to
breastfeed her own. I don't know if it reoccured or the complete story of how
the infection became so severe. I don't recall any mention of pain managment
- it seems in our area that is an issue that is not of concern to most
physicians providing care following surgery of any type in infants. I can't
convince most health professionals that a bruise covering 1/4 of the baby's
head would have an affect on infant behavior.
Also kudos to my partner, Pat Lindsey, who stuck to her guns, insisting ( in
a very gentle way) that a pediatrician see her client that day even though he
wanted to wait a week or so. The baby had gained only a pound in 5 weeks, had
projectile vomiting, and a family history of intestinal blockages. After
seeing the pediatrician, the baby was admitted and is scheduled for surgery
tomorrow with a diagnosis of pyloric stenosis. It can be so hard to insist-
but cases like this show how important it can be.
                               Debby Kearney IBCLC
                                Enjoying spring in sunny Fl!