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Battling Mastitis

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I am tackling mastitis…

Saturday morning, I woke up to two discoveries. One, my seven week old Olivia had slept through the night – from midnight to six am! And two, something was very wrong with my breast.

It only took me a couple of moments to figure out that I had mastitis. My right breast was hot, swollen, red and intensely painful and I felt terrible. My head hurt, my whole body ached, nursing Olivia was agony – yes – this was mastitis alright.

My initial fear was that I wouldn’t be able to nurse with the antibiotics – which was silly because I know that there are some antibiotics that are safe to take while nursing. But in the first few moments, all I could think about was if I would still be able to nurse. In the “old days” when my mom was nursing Susan and me, my mom’s doctor insisted that my mom stopped nursing when she got mastitis. We were only three months old and she had to wean us. I can’t imagine how painful that must have been to wean while having mastitis! I am sooo grateful that the doctors know better now and that we have antibiotics!!!

After a visit to the clinic to get some antibiotics, I nursed again and then went to bed. And that is where I stayed all weekend – nursing and sleeping. I can’t believe how sick mastitis makes you! Wow – I was absolutely miserable. I had the chills, my entire body ached, my head screamed, and I was so weak. Even my skin hurt.

But thank the Lord for antibiotics! By Sunday evening I was feeling much better. I still have a large, hard lump in my breast. I am massaging it and nursing as often as possible, but I am definitely on the mend.

So, I have no other tackles to show today. As I said, all I accomplished this weekend was nursing and resting. Thankfully it happened on the weekend so my husband was home to help me and I didn’t have to drive Jackson to school or activities.

It sure isn’t an exciting tackle – and I certainly don’t have any photos to show of it! LOL – I don’t think I want to photograph the before and after of my inflamed breast! But that is what I tackled.

How about you? What are you tackling this week?

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44 Comments

  1. Oh, Owie! I’ve been there too. Probably not what you wish you were tackling.

    Cat barf in the laundry room finally spurred me into action. Quality blogging, for sure.

    Reply

  2. I just wanted to leave a note. I definitely have compassion for you. I got this with both girls and does it HURT! Glad you are feeling better and here is to no more mastitis!

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  3. I would so go straight to the doctor for anything and everything they could give me, but I thought maybe something in this link might help you even further. http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/natural-treatments.html#mastitis

    I’ve also heard numerous times applying a raw potato with the whitish inside to your nipple can unplug clogged ducts. Not sure if this is true, but maybe something to file away for future issues.

    Hang in there. Yeouch!

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  5. I’m so glad you are getting better. Mastitis is awful! I’ll never forget how terrible I felt when I had it. Take care of yourself and your sweet baby.

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  6. Ooh, I feel for you. I got mastitis whenever either of my two decreased their nursing. I agree that the hot bath and massage, plus lots of bed rest, helped the most. Take care of yourself and get some rest. It’s not fun at all.

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  10. OUCH! Been there, still doing that with my 9 month old!! I am adjusting finally though, UGH!

    I am tackling getting the house spotless before the out…err. in laws get here tomrrow! What joy…

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  12. My first experience with mastitis was with our second son. I hadn’t had even a hint of it with our first, so when I went from feeling fine to feeling exactly as you described within 2 short hours I had absolutely no clue what was going on!

    Your description of “even my skin hurt” is so true – ugh!!!! I’m thinking of you and pray you have a quick recovery!

    Blessings, Shera

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  13. I certainly hope you are feeling much better. I breast fed all four of my children. I know how agonizing it can be. Really enjoyed visiting your blog this morning.
    Blessings from Costa Rica,
    Kathie

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  14. When my goat got it I would also put a warm towel on her. Bag balm was a blessing. Surely they have something like that for humans! I do hope yopu are doing better soon.

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  15. Oh no – I’ve had mastitis a couple of times and it is no fun at all. I hope you are feeling better soon and getting lots of rest with that beautiful baby girl!

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  16. I don’t do this meme, but I wanted to leave you a note of encouragement anyway. I had mastitis after the birth of my children and I remember how painful it was.

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  17. Yikes! Mastitis can definately take it out of you. Make sure to take t easy and nurse, nurse, nurse as much as you can! Hope you feel better soon!

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  19. I had mastitis too with my third child. My husband was out of town, I was in the middle of packing for a move, my two boys were bouncing off the walls, and my daughter was about 1 month old. I was so miserable, I had to call a friend to go pick up my drugs for me. I had no furniture to sit on and I just sat in the middle of the living room floor, nursing and crying.
    Ahhhhh, memories.
    Glad you are feeling better!

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  20. Been There! I got it twice while nursing my daughter for 15 months. I took REALLY hot baths and totally submerged my breast into the water and massaged the heck out of it. It really helped. Plus the antibiotics helped too! Good luck! I know that really sucks.

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  21. I’ve read that a cool cabbage leaf as a compress helps. Then again, thankfully I’ve not had to try that method myself.

    It’s wonderful that she slept through the night; I’m so glad your hubby was home for the worst too, to help you out. *phew!*

    Glad to hear you’re on the mend. Yay! 🙂

    Reply

  26. I was shocked to the first time I got mastitis. It really does make you so ill you can hardly move. I’m glad you’re feeling better.

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  27. Yikes…I had it three times with my daughter. Make sure you get lots of rest. Warm compresses always seemed to make me feel better.

    This Tuesday I’m tackling work. I have so many projects and the new blog that I’m swimming in tasks. My goal is to organize and prioritize my to-do list today.

    Hope you feel better!

    Reply

  33. Hey Janice,
    I’m glad to hear that you’re on the mend! Mastitis is just no fun…I’ve had it repeatly with all of my kiddos!
    Take care,
    Cindy

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  35. I think my tackle about matches yours. We actually had a “date” Friday night and for the reward I got food poisoning. So I spent Saturday feeling like I’d been run over by a truck and then Sunday recuperating. Ugh. Glad you’re better, so am I!

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  37. You and your sister have a wonderful blog. I read it all the time, but this is the first time that I’m commenting… and not in response to a contest. I have never had mastitis, but I’ve heard all about how painful it is. My sis (who’s practically my twin) has had it. I feel for you. So glad you’re feeling better. 🙂

    Reply

  38. Oh Janice! How painful! Oh joy she slept through the night! Oh how painful! Joy! Pain! God bless you and I hope you’re feeling well really soon.

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  40. Ouchhhh I’ve been there and done that and never want to experience it again.

    Take care of yourself Janice and hopefully you’ll be back to your good old self very soon 🙂

    Rachel xxx
    A Juggling Mum

    Reply