How Can I Prevent Mastitis?

Mastitis is the last thing you’ll want to deal with when you have a newborn on your hands! Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help you avoid the problem. First, we'll explain what exactly mastitis is and how you can prevent and treat it.

What is Mastitis?

Mastitis is the inflammation of breast tissue that sometimes involves an infection.

Symptoms of Mastitis

• Breast pain
• Swelling of the breast
• Redness on the breast
• Fever
• Chills

How to Prevent Mastitis

• Utilize good breastfeeding techniques
• Treat and prevent cracked nipples with lanolin or special balms made for healing nipples
• Take a breastfeeding class
• Ensure that your baby is properly latching for every feed
• Visit with a lactation consultant
• Wear a properly fitting bra that isn't too tight, it's also recommended to not wear underwire for the first few weeks of breastfeeding
• Try to get as much sleep as possible (Use SNOO to add more hours of sleep!)

How to Cure Mastitis

Mastitis treatment might involve:

• Antibiotics -Your doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics that are safe for breastfeeding to treat the infection
  
• Pain relievers - Many over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen will help alleviate pain
  
• Frequent nursing -breastfeeding has been shown to help clear mastitis infections, a sudden stop in nursing can worsen your symptoms
  

Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.