Yvonne - yes I have seen true mastitis in several new babies, as distinct
from the engorgement that sometimes occurs in the breasts of new babies in
the first few days after birth. Breastfeeding is *not* the cause - neonatal
mastitis is very rare in exclusively breastfed babies.  I agree with others'
suggestions that cabbage might help, but if the baby's breast is hard, hot
and inflamed then it sounds as if it is infected and the baby really needs
the antibiotic - and follow-up to treat/drain abscess should it progress
(seen this too, the baby had been weaned the week before, poor little thing,
and the breast was hard, enlarged and purple, nipple obliterated, obviously
very painful).

Pamela Morrison IBCLC, Zimbabwe
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