Mastitis is inflammation of the breast tissue that causes pain and swelling. It typically occurs in breastfeeding mothers, when bacteria enter the breasts through cracked and irritated nipples or as a result of the milk remaining inside the breast after feeding. You can prevent this by taking proper care of your breasts, nipples and breastfeeding properly.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Learning to Breastfeed Properly
Step 1. Ask a child care provider to teach you how to breastfeed
Mastitis can occur at any time during the lactation period, but most women suffer from it in the first four weeks when the breasts are still very congested. This inflammation most often affects women who become mothers for the first time and who start breastfeeding for the first time. Talk to your gynecologist or midwife to learn the correct techniques to prevent mastitis.
- Early in your pregnancy, your doctor or midwife should provide you with information leaflets and brochures about preparing for pregnancy, delivery, breastfeeding and how to manage your baby in the first few weeks. If they don't give you this material, ask for it yourself.
- Once your baby is born, don't hesitate to contact your doctor if you need to know how to breastfeed properly. It's important to start doing it right now, to make sure your baby is getting all the nutrients he needs and also to prevent mastitis.
Step 2. Follow a feeding schedule
It is important to breastfeed the baby at a constant time, to avoid having too much milk in the breasts, which could in turn cause breast engorgement and therefore any episodes of mastitis. You should breastfeed every 1 to 3 hours or whenever your baby is hungry.
- If you plan not to be able to breastfeed at the scheduled time, empty your breasts with the pump at the time of feeding. If your breasts feel full before the expected time to breastfeed, it is important to empty them. If the milk were to remain in the breasts and thicken, sucking would become difficult and you would run the risk of mastitis.
- You don't have to wait for the baby to let you know it's time to feed. The baby is much more likely to suck some milk than to reject it when you offer the breast. Don't be afraid to wake him up if it's time. It is better to interrupt his sleep than to risk developing mastitis.
Step 3. Let the baby drink all the milk needed to empty the breasts
Each baby has different dietary needs and each mother has a different amount of milk available. Some babies drink all available milk in 10 minutes, while others suck up to half an hour for each breast. Get to know your baby's needs and give him plenty of time to completely empty his breasts.
Don't put a time limit on him when you breastfeed him. It is important that each feed lasts as long as it takes to completely empty the breasts. Most babies detach from the nipple when they're done eating, so don't take it off before this time
Step 4. Begin each new feed with the opposite breast
If the previous time you offered him your left breast first, now offer him your right. Alternating breasts each time you breastfeed reduces the risk of mastitis.
Sometimes you may not remember which breasts you gave them the previous feed. Some moms find it convenient to wear a "breastfeeding bracelet" to put on the wrist that matches the breast offered first. You can buy one at specialty stores for new mothers or just put one you already own and use it for this purpose
Step 5. Make sure the baby is grasping the nipple correctly
If it does not latch on properly, it could cause damage to the nipple and impair adequate milk flow. Consult the brochures and information material you have to find the correct techniques. If you see that your baby is having difficulty, talk to your doctor or nurse.
- To help your baby suckle properly, place him upright, with his chest against yours. You can lift your breasts with your hand as you feed them to help the flow of milk. You can also massage your breasts gently before offering them to the baby, as this is also a way to get the milk to come out more easily.
- If the areolas are flat, massage the nipples to help them come out so that the baby has less difficulty latching on.
Step 6. Change your position every time you feed him
Try new and different positions with each feed, also use pillows, to make the operation easier and easier. This way you can also know for sure when the breasts are completely empty at the end of each meal.
Choose a position that causes the milk to flow comfortably towards the baby's mouth. For example, you can try lying on your left side to avoid blockage on the right side of both breasts. You can also get on your knees on all fours over the baby
Step 7. Do not bottle feed him between feeds
Your goal is to empty the breasts as much as possible to avoid mastitis, so you don't have to feed him with different techniques, otherwise he won't be hungry anymore when the time comes to latch him on.
Also, if you give him a bottle, the baby may be confused between the two different types of "teats" and between the different sucking techniques. If you give him the bottle between feeds at the breast, he may come to prefer the teat of the bottle, because the milk flows faster here, and he may also refuse or have difficulty sucking from the breast
Part 2 of 3: Staying Healthy
Step 1. Get at least eight hours of sleep a night
Now that you are a mother, you will probably be overwhelmed by the needs and demands of the newborn. In addition to taking care of him, however, it is important to indulge your own needs and get plenty of rest. If you are always feeling very tired, ask your partner to look after the baby and take 10 minute breaks to rest and relax. Stress and lack of sleep can facilitate a drop in immune defenses with the risk of developing mastitis.
- At night, try to sleep on your back so as not to put pressure on your breasts; also, do not wear a bra in bed as it could further compress the milk ducts, with the risk of them becoming inflamed. If this were to happen, the ducts would become clogged increasing the risk of mastitis.
- If you prefer to sleep on your side, use a body support pillow to maintain a more comfortable position that doesn't put pressure on your breasts.
Step 2. Avoid wearing tight tops or bra during the day
Try to be without it as long as possible, so as not to add pressure on the excretory ducts. Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing to avoid crushing the breasts.
- If you want to wear a nursing bra, make sure you put it on correctly. Lean forward when wearing it, so your breasts fit well into the cups. You must avoid that part of the breast tissue remains on the outside and beyond the edges of the bra.
- You also need to avoid other clothing that is too constricting, such as a bathing suit, bra padding, and carrying bags that are too heavy, including diapers, over the shoulder.
Step 3. Take care of cracked nipples
It is very common for nipples to become irritated and cracked during breastfeeding, and these cuts can allow bacteria to enter and cause mastitis. To prevent this from happening, follow these guidelines:
- Leave your nipples open after feeding. This is the best solution, rather than wiping them with a cloth or washing them every time (which would dry out the skin).
- Massage them with a lanolin-based cream. Look for a natural, alcohol-free product that you can use to treat dry, sore nipples.
Part 3 of 3: Recognizing the Symptoms of Mastitis
Step 1. Look for flu-like symptoms or general malaise
Many moms with mastitis begin to feel sick like they have the flu, with symptoms such as high fever, body aches, chills and fatigue.
Take your body temperature if you feel sick and think you have mastitis. If the fever is over 38.3 ° C, it could be a sign of this infection
Step 2. Check if your breasts are inflamed, red or swollen
These symptoms often occur when the milk ducts become blocked before the development of mastitis. Identifying these signs early can help you take steps to treat the problem before it gets worse.
- The skin on the breasts may also appear shiny, and you may notice red streaks or reddened wedge-shaped marks. The breasts may be sore and hot to the touch, and you may experience pain while breastfeeding.
- Mastitis usually appears during the first few weeks of breastfeeding, although it can develop at any time while you are breastfeeding the baby. Remember that it often affects only a single breast.
Step 3. See your doctor if your symptoms don't improve
If your breasts are still sore, you continue to have a high fever or feel more tired over time, mastitis is likely the problem and you should seek immediate medical attention.
- You will need to continue breastfeeding, even with the ongoing infection, as otherwise you could aggravate the problem. See your doctor to minimize the pain caused by the disease.
- If your doctor finds that mastitis is a consequence of an infection, he will prescribe a course of antibiotics.
Step 4. Continue to breastfeed
You will need to continue breastfeeding, even if you have an infection. You will not pass the infection on to the baby. Not breastfeeding when you have mastitis can make the infection worse - talk to your doctor about ways you can take to minimize pain.
