What is mastitis and how to treat it?

Mastitis is common among nursing mothers. Johanna, lactation consultant and author of the blog Amour Maternel, details: “Mastitis is linked to stasis (stagnation) of milk in the mammary glands, or to the penetration of bacteria which lead to an obstruction of the milk duct. »

What are the symptoms of mastitis?

Painful, mastitis is sometimes difficult to identify because it can make you think of a flu-like condition. In the middle of August 2020, Mathilda even thought of the coronavirus. "I did not immediately make the connection between my painful breast and my slight fever".

How do you know if you have mastitis?

“Unlike engorgement, mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary glands that results in localized painful tension,” says Johanna. The area is hot and swollen. A mass and redness may be observed in the breast. » Inflammatory mastitis is usually accompanied by fever, body aches and fatigue.

When Mathilda, 29 years old and mother of Faustine, 9 months old, had her first mastitis, her main fear was that this pregnancy pain would interfere with her breastfeeding.

The causes of mastitis

There are several factors that can lead to inflammation of the mammary gland:

How to prevent the onset of mastitis and relieve it?

The most effective solution to treat mastitis will be to drain the breast to eliminate milk stasis. “I encourage mums to breastfeed their babies regularly during the day or express milk to relieve painful breasts,” advises the specialist.

Hot compresses and massages

Under the advice of her osteopath, Mathilda first performed manual drainage in her sink before breastfeeding her daughter. “The milk came too quickly in his mouth, which caused regurgitation and sometimes even vomiting. “After each feeding, the young mother applied hot compresses accompanied by massages to relieve pain, relax the breast tissue and facilitate decongestion.

Varying positions while breastfeeding

A bad position of the baby during breastfeeding can also be the cause of the appearance of mastitis. "You have to try to vary the postures in order to facilitate the drainage of the different areas of the breast," explains the lactation consultant. In case of mastitis already established, we can try to breastfeed your baby in a position that allows his chin to press towards the blocked milk duct to drain the breast as much as possible. »

Rest

But for the specialist, mastitis should also be considered as a signal of an advanced state of fatigue. “This is not to be taken lightly. This is a sign of exhaustion that requires the mother to rest and take time for herself. »

Weaning, a good time for the onset of mastitis

Mathilda's return to work led to irregular breastfeeding, one of the main factors of mastitis. "I didn't anticipate the start of the withdrawal enough, which was too brutal. I was sometimes embarrassed to express my milk at the office, my company not having a locked room. My mammary gland was quickly inflamed and the appearance of a milk blister did not make it easy for me, ”recalls the young mother.

“Weaning is a favorable period for the development of mastitis, confirms the lactation consultant. A baby who is starting to sleep through the night can also increase the amount of time between feedings, which can cause engorgement. To prevent mastitis, regular drainage of the breasts is then necessary.

Mastitis and breastfeeding: can I continue to breastfeed?

The answer is yes. "It's also the most effective way to overcome mastitis," says Johanna. It may happen that the baby refuses to breastfeed because the composition of the milk will be a little richer in sodium. In this case, you can use the breast pump to continue to drain the breast and breastfeed your child. »

How to cure infectious mastitis?

If after 48 hours the symptoms persist, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. A physical examination and a sample will confirm whether it is a simple inflammatory mastitis, or an infectious mastitis. Antibiotic treatment may be prescribed by the healthcare professional. In some cases, improperly treated infectious mastitis can lead to an abscess that may require surgery.

If your doctor confirms that taking the medication is compatible with breastfeeding, rest assured! Even in the case of infectious mastitis, your breast milk contains antibodies that will protect your baby.