With my extensive experience in the area, I’ve learned a few things. Probably the most important one being that frequent bouts of mastitis are not a forgone conclusion for me, like I once assumed they were. No, I now know that they come on when I’m exhausted, over-exposed and over-drawn. I’m far more susceptible when I’m not eating well and not taking the time to really care for myself. I’m far more likely to become ill when my life is out of balance. In a sense I have a choice. And when I find myself getting ill I can either heed that message, or not. This is the first time in years that I’ve had it. I’ve had recent exposures to mold and a fair bit of emotional upheaval and I don’t think that’s any coincidence.
I’ve also become well versed in the various home remedies. They do quite well by me. I’ve probably had mastitis a dozen times (including two occasions of infections in both breasts at the same time) or so and I’ve never yet had to resort to antibiotics.
Some of the things that work for me include:
- mega doses of vitamin C
- a strong brew of Echinacea sipped throughout the day
- a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar, in a cup of water, taken through out the day
- the homeopathic remedy phytolacca decandra has been a life saver for me
- lots of fluids
- lots of nursing
- hot baths (preferably with the babe) and/or hot shower and massage; not really options for me at the moment, so hot compresses while nursing had to suffice.
And most importantly,
- rest, rest, rest
There are lots of different home-remedies out there, but these are the ones that have worked for me over the years and implementing them has become a kind of second nature, when I feel something coming on. It’s also worth sharing that I’ve found that the sooner that I start treatment, the less severe it gets and the quicker it goes away.
If anyone has any other tips they would like to share in the comments, please do so! Who knows, it may be of help to another mama out there someday.
Oh no! I am sorry to hear you've been sick!
I have had mastitis about 3 times during my 8 1/2 years of nursing- and three times is more than enough. It's awful: feels like the flu. You don't want anyone to touch you, let alone your breast- and you have to hold your baby and nurse your baby. . .
For me I've ate raw garlic crushed into a spoonful of honey- as many times a day as I am able, without getting a sour stomach. My babies don't seem to mind all the garlicky milk either, but perhaps some do.
I also take lots of vit. C, heat (bath or compresses or both) and fluids, nursing baby on that side as much as possible, and also trying to hand express- though I've been told there is a "right way" and a "Wrong way" to do this, and I may not be doing it right.
I've always managed to kick these on my own, thankfully.
Feel better, Melody!
I also struggled with this quite a bit when I was nursing my girls. A really bad one set in within days of my youngest daughters birth. My midwife had me on the horrible apple cider vinegar regimen, and I agreed to take the phytolacca even though we are vegan and they were milk sugar tablets, because there was no way I was going to end up on antibiotics with a two day old baby! Showers and bath were not an option, as I was not even out of bed yet, but I did do lots of compresses, hot and cold. My midwife felt cold could work just as well as hot. And of course there was the potato and cabbage compresses too! We put a potato in the freezer and then grated it for a very cold compress. Messy though! Bruised cabbage leaves are good for hot compresses because you can fit them nicely on your breast under a hot washcloth and heating pad. Weird I know, but works so well! I hope you feel better soon, and get that rest you need!!
Oh Yes! I've had mastitis 5 times in my nursing history, you seem to know all the remedies I've relied on, but I would also take lecithin which helped in addition to echinacea, phytolacca, and byronia alba.
With the first hint of infection I'd head to bed and rest rest rest…nurse nurse nurse and hot compress as much as I could! Get well soon!!!!
K
oh so sorry you're ill. i had mastitis 3 times while nursing my first. thanks for sharing the tips! these will come in handy when the next babe comes in a few months!
I had mastitis when my youngest was two weeks old and I was feeling overwhelmed and stressed. and Oi! it was no fun. I'm glad to hear you are feeling better. I used the same homeopathic remedy as you as well as cabbage leaf. And my midwife suggested quark (yes, the soft cheese!) compresses. Very messy, but I was able to kick it without antibiotics as well. Healing thoughts to you.
Glad all is well. Natural remedies are first order around here too. You are so right when you say that stress and not taking care of yourself can cause illness. It is true for me also. Must be difficult with 4 children.