How Can I Prevent Mastitis?

Mastitis is the last thing you’ll want to deal with when you have a newborn on your hands! Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help you avoid the problem. First, we will explain what exactly mastitis is and how you can prevent and treat it. 

What is Mastitis?

Mastitis is the inflammation of breast tissue that sometimes involves an infection.

Symptoms of Mastitis

• Breast pain
• Swelling of the breast 
• Redness on the breast
• Fever
• Chills 

How to Prevent Mastitis

• Utilize good breastfeeding techniques
• Treat and prevent cracked nipples with lanolin or special balms made for healing nipples 
• Take a breastfeeding class
• Ensure that your baby is properly latching for every feed 
• Visit with a lactation consultant 
• Wear a properly fitting bra that is not too tight, it is also recommended to not wear underwire for the first few weeks of breastfeeding
• Try to get as much sleep as possible (Use SNOO to add more hours of sleep!) 

How to Cure Mastitis 

Mastitis treatment might involve:

• Antibiotics - Your doctor may prescote a course of antibiotics that are safe for breastfeeding to treat the infection 
  
• Pain relievers - Many over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen will help alleviate pain 
  
• Frequent nursing - breastfeeding has been shown to help clear mastitis infections, a sudden stop in nursing can worsen your symptoms 
  

Descargo de responsabilidad: La información en nuestro sitio NO es un consejo médico para ninguna persona o condición específica. Solo se proporciona como información general. Si tiene alguna pregunta o preocupación médica sobre su hijo o sobre usted mismo, por favor contacte a su proveedor de salud. La leche materna es la mejor fuente de nutrición para los bebés. Es importante que, en preparación para la lactancia y durante la misma, las madres lleven una dieta saludable y equilibrada. La combinación de lactancia materna y alimentación con biberón en las primeras semanas de vida puede reducir la producción de leche materna y es difícil revertir la decisión de no amamantar. Si decide utilizar fórmula infantil, debe seguir las instrucciones cuidadosamente.