Mastitis
What is Mastitis?
Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast. It is a common condition in women who breastfeed. Usually mastitis occurs from not emptying milk from the breast.
Symptoms include: hard, red, swollen, tender area in the breast with fever, chills and flu-like aching.
Treatment
- Remove milk by feeding 8 - 12 times a day starting on the affected side
- Pump both breasts at the same time if direct breast feeding isn’t possible
- Use warm, moist packs before feeding and massage the breast during the feed to help drain milk from the breast
- Cold compresses may also be used to treat discomfort
- Bed rest
- Eat a proper diet
- Increase fluids
- Over-the-counter medicine such as ibuprofen may relieve swelling and pain
Contact your care provider if symptoms don’t improve within 12 - 24 hours to obtain antibiotic treatment.
Prevention
- Proper latching prevents skin breakdown of the nipple
- Breastfeed often or pump if feeding is missed to empty breasts completely
- Massage any lumps found in breast while feeding
- Avoid tight or poorly fitting bras
- Wean gradually
Contact us
For additional information on this Health Topic, call the Center for Breastfeeding Medicine at 513-636-2326.
Rev. 5/09
