Thank you for all of your thoughts and wonderful ideas, updates follow: The 15 y.o., I posted about with the sub areolar abcess is doing better. She has completed a course of antibiotics and the affected area is now the size of a dime. Her parents have developed a wait and see attitude at this point. The mom with her fifth case of mastitis is no longer in pain . Despite her doctors recommendations she is not weaning at this point. Upon your suggestions I mentionned to her to have the baby's nose and throat cultured. Additionally, Marie Davis suggested she take the Keflex 6-12-6-12, round the clock, which she is now doing rather than four times a day. Must hope it doesn't reoccur! Elisa Elisa Hirsch, RN, IBCLC Westlake Village, CA