help please! self treating possible mastitis.

[JeggingsJive]

I have a painful hard lump in one breast since this morning and a sore nipple on that side when DD (9 months) latches.

I'm not feverish- have forgotten what best thing for this is? Is it heat, lots of feeding (ouch!) from that side? Anything else? TIA!

[McBaby]

Heat, massage (with electric toothbrush vibrations break up lump), hot shower, feeding or expressing regularly.

Had similar last week and managed to clear the blockage before mastitis set in.

I find ibuprofen also helps with pain and reducing size of lump.

[5madthings]

Feed feed feed and in found combing my breast helped with a wide toothed comb in then bath or shower I'd you can, from under the armpit, down over the lump towards the nipple, press firmly bit not hard if that make sense :)

[JeggingsJive]

Thanks v much...will try all this and hopefully clear it myself.

[recall]

how about expressing in between feeds too? and a savoy cabbage leaf ? I put one on my boob once, and when I took it off, there were loads of tiny beads of water on my breast where it had been in contact, so it must do something...

[CityDweller]

Info on self-treatment on Kellymom is good: kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/herbs/natural-treatments/#mastitis
I got mastitis for second time this weekend, it wasn't as bad as first time, but I think I've managed to deal with it without antibiotics following the Kellymom advice. I also basically fed off the affected side exclusively for almost a day (pumped the other side), massaged it loads, swallowed raw garlic (yuk - but that's for the fever, so you probably don't need to do that yet!), applied hot flannel before feeding and got lots of rest.

[barnet]

The breast is divided into sections (like the spokes on a wheel, with the nipple being the centre). Try to get the baby to feed from the section of the breast that is blocked: for example if the painful part is above the nipple, then lie on your side and have the baby lying on his side opposite it you, but upside down. That is, his feet will be up by your head. That way he will draw from that section above the nipple that is blocked.
Sounds funny but it does help alot! Keep doing it every feed.

[Coldcuppacoffee]

Get in a really hot shower to stimulate milk production, get some conditioner and a comb and comb across the lumb towards the nipple then feed a shed load.
Drink as much as you can manage, including through the night to increase flow.
If you subscribe to the homeopathy school of thought: phytolacca is good but not sure how easy it is to get hold of. Belladonna too but that's for when you have fever.
Savoy Cabbages worked for me but more for engorgement.

[JeggingsJive]

I think it's working

Many thanks again - MN saves the day!

Did lots of feeding,heat, ibuprofen, massage. The comb thing is great - am combining that with expressing now, seems to be helping.

will try the baby positioning too - sounds fun