mastitis?

[lib and jrs mom]

well, i have been breastfeeding my little one now for about a week and a half.  i have to frequently pump because when she was in the nicu i built up a large milk supply (i can get 6-8oz ever 2-3hrs).  last night when i went to bed all was normal.  however, about an hour after i fell asleep i woke up because i was so cold and shivering so bad my entire body hurt.  let me add that before i went to sleep i noticed a sore area on the underside of my left breast, but just figured i had bumped something.  dh piled 3 blankets on top of me and i was still unable to stop shaking d/t feeling so cold.  i took a scalding hot bath (replacing the water 5 times) for about an hour.  nothing helped.  my temp was 103.8, so i know the hot bath was the worst thing i could have done, it's just so hard not to do something that makes you feel so good in the moment.  i also had a horrible headache, felt very dizzy, became sick to my stomach, and everything i looked at seemed to have a white haze over it.
i have continued to pump and nurse, and my left breast isn't quite so tender, although it still hurts pretty bad.  i have been taking tylenol and motrin off and on for the pain and the fever.  this morning when i woke up my temp was 102.  
i have bf 3 children now, and never had this happen.  i didn't know if i should call my family dr. or ob to try to alleviate this problem.  any info would be greatly appreciated.  i hope you all have a great day.

[Me2mommy2b]

ouchie....call your family dr or ob/gyn....call someone!

[Me2mommy2b]

Sorry, didn't mean to sound so mean but my baby started screaming her head off so I couldn't finish the post.  Sounds like you def should be contacting your drs.  Especially if you're running a fever.  I hope you feel better soon.  All the best.

[casey's mom]

Yes, you totally have a breast infection. Call your doctor and start an antibiotic right away. I got 2 in the first 6 weeks of nursing my son. They are awful and you want to die. I got some great advice from my doctor which prevented it from ever happening again.
First off now that you have an infection make sure you still nurse...and frequently. Always start w/ the infected breast because the baby will suck harder on which ever breast you offer first.
Second, next time you feel a blockage I have a great position tip which worked for me since I was so prone to blocked ducts. Again start with the sore breast and lay your baby flat on his/her back on a bed. Lean over him so you are offering your breast to him from above and his face is towards the cealing sucking. This is the most effective way to drain your breast and empty all your ducts. It's not very comfortable for you, but neither is an infection! Hopefully you'll only have to do this position for 1 or 2 feedings before the duct is unclogged.
Best of luck to you and don't give up because of this minor set back. You'll feel 100 times better after 24 hours of anti biotics in you. Continue breast feeding ... it's a wonderful healthy beautiful gift to give your new born.

[casey's mom]

Oh, and this is very common in the first month-6weeks of nursing. Gets better after your milk supply is established. There won't be so much engorgement. Sometimes letting the hot shower water run on your chest and letting the milk flow out naturally helps with the engorgement too. good luck!!

[decogrl]

Oh I feel for you!  I have some blocked ducts and I feel like someone kicked me in my left breast.  Lucky you that you have so much milk.  I don't produce enough for DD only like 2 oz at a pumping session if I am lucky.  Please get yourself relief.

[emma10]

By the time you have a fever and not just local tenderness/heat, you do really need the antibiotic. One thing that helped me (besides that great thing Casey described, what a relief) was putting grated potato compresses on the inflamed breast area. It sucks the heat out, some enzyme does something, don't know what. Sounds funny but it works. I also found I got blocked ducts if I went even ONCE to a fastfood anything place--- I had to eat and drink impeccably pure not fatty foods to keep producing. Just shows what an effect that food can really have.  Mastitis can be dangerous--hope you can get in; it's emergency room material if doctors are closed.

[tinaet]

this sounds crazy, but my doctor told me when you get to hurting put some cabbage leafs in the refrigerator and when they get cold put them on your breast. I done this with all three of my children and it actually worked. But first i would call your doctor and get some antibiotics. Hope you get to feeling better.