Mastitis and deciding not to BF anymore

I went to ER and i have Mastitis, the pain was so terrible that it started radiating in my back and i couldnt left my right arm.  I had switched to nursing DD at night when i went bacxk to work(she is7 months now. So i was deciding not to BF any more but i wasnt sure when would be a good time, since i have mastitis and the medication that im on the ER dr told me to pump and dump for the next 10 days, so i figured this would be a good time to stop BF.  My question is does the  mastitis go away from the antibiotics or do i need to pump, I was hopn by me not pumping my supply would dry up and the mastitis would clear up from the antibiotics.  What should i be doing so they other breast dont get mastitis,  I have on 2 bras to keep boobs snug.  Any suggestions

[Limonada]

I had mastitis when I was weaning my oldes son when he was 4.5 months old - I was doing a gradual wean, dropping a feed each month until he was done at 6 months of age - as it turns out, both he and I were ready to stop at the same time....so it worked out fine, aside from the mastitis!

I continued to BF while I had it - my GP put me on antibiotics, a 5 day course, I think - and that cleared it up...and it didn't come back!  My SIL hasn't been so lucky:  she's had  it about 5 times now, and has yet to wean my nephew.

I only had mastits on one side, too - my left, I believe....it was 3 years ago, so it's a bit hard to remember ;-)  I never got it on the other side....and I'm not sure what advice to give you in terms of not developing it on the other side.  I'd say that pumping so that you don't get too full will help - I think that's what caused me to get mastitis in the first place.....I wasn't emptying myself out in between feeds.

Good luck - I know how hard it is!!

[feather2e]

I have had mastitis 2 times and breast fed both times. In fact it actually helps to breastfeed to help unclog the ducts.It can be very painful to just stop and not a good idea with the clogged ducts. My recommendation is to pump the clogged breast dry till the mastitis clears up( also try using heat against the area and massaging it in the shower) and then gradually decrease your pumping . Your body works on supply and demand so it will learn not to make as much milk

[tiredbuthappy]

i agree on both statements- you should be able to BF with mastitis (there are safe antibiotics) AND that it woul be better for you to continue until the infection has cleared and then to wean slowly. Ask your OB for a safe antibiotic. You could pump until it's cleared, but honestly the baby would probably do a better job of getting clogs out and clearing the infection. I know you only nurse at night, but it would be in your best interest to include at least some pumps or sessions during the day until the infection clears. It's possible that nursing only at night has contributed to the infection. When weaning, you can pump/nurse to relieve pressure instead of full sessions, but always feel your entire breast and make sure you don't feel any lumps. If you find any lumps/clogs, keep pumping or nursing until it's clear. Many people get mastitis while weaning and a gradual approach is often best.

I hope you feel better soon. I never felt sicker than when I had mastitis :(