I have seen two cases which developed the
first week postpartum.  One woman was started on oral cloxacillin
on Day 3 and returned on Day 5 with an abscess which drained 0.5
litres of pus.  She was put on i/v antibiotics.

Another presented on Day 4
with a very high
fever,  was hospitalized and put on i/v antibiotics. She ended up having
several abscesses in both
breasts.  Bases on just these two experiences, I am very wary of early
onset mastitis, and I wonder about infection with hospital
based organisms.
eileen shea, BSc, IBCLC