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Taking This Twin Thing Too Far…

November 21, 2007 by Susan

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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Okay, so as most of you know… Janice and I are identical twins.

We were born 10 minutes apart, we’ve spent our entire lives as best friends and now we live a block apart. We work together and our kids are more like siblings than cousins.

But we also seem to end up doing other things together too. Like the time when we were 6 years old and we both developed double hernias within 1 hour of each other.

And about 11 months ago, we got pregnant within 4 days of each other.

And now, we’ve got Mastitis within 4 days of each other.

Yes, that’s right. Now, I have Mastitis!!!!

On Saturday, Janice woke up with the telltale signs and suffered for the rest of the weekend as her antibiotics took effect.

On Tuesday, I woke up with a sore breast that was gradually getting redder and hotter. A trip to the doctor confirmed that I had followed in Janice’s footsteps and gotten Mastitis.

But I’ve been quite lucky as I’m not as sick as I could be. I have a killer headache, some nausea and no appetite… But from the sounds of all the comments on Janice’s post, I’m not in as bad shape as some of you were during your bouts with this painful infection.

Anyway, I have to tell you all… when I went to the local clinic to see a doctor I was treated by one of the oldest doctors still practicing medicine. In fact, he was so old that he was retired and just working at the clinic occasionally.

And given his age, it was clear he had different ideas about how to handle Mastitis. He told me I had to stop breastfeeding on that side and just to pump and dump the milk. I was rather shocked and questioned him, but he was clearly set in his mind.

He was from the generation that made my mother wean us at 3 months when she came down with Mastitis.

So I did what I had to… I told him, “Okay, I’ll pump that side”. And then I went home and confirmed online that it is safe to nurse while having Mastitis.

I felt reassured that the Mayo Clinic said:
“Sometimes mastitis leads a mother mistakenly to wean her baby before she intends to. But you can continue breast-feeding while you have mastitis.”

And Dr. Sears says, “Continuing to nurse your baby is the best treatment for engorgement, mastitis and breast infections.”

What’s your experience been? Have you had a doctor tell you to stop nursing on the affected side while you had Mastitis?

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About Susan

Susan Carraretto and her identical twin, Janice Croze, created 5 Minutes for Mom in 2006. Susan loves all social media, but her top addiction these days is Pinterest.

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41 Comments

  1. casual friday everyday says

    November 26, 2007 at 7:54 pm

    I thought I had mastitis too. I went to my OBGYN. She gave me antibiotics and then a diflucan because I always get infections from antibiotics.

    Long story short, the problem wasn’t mastitis it was an overgrowth of yeast in my body…called Candida.

    Anyway, whatever it was called for me I still nursed for as long as I could…then I pumped…then I quit. I had so many problems with that and just couldnt continue.

    Reply
  2. Stephanie says

    November 24, 2007 at 8:44 pm

    Good for you for doing “extra” research to find out what is best for your baby! I hope you recover quickly! Sending thoughts and prayers your way…

    Reply
  3. Noralee says

    November 24, 2007 at 1:01 pm

    I had mastitis only once and continued to nurse. But once I was hospitalized for different infection. My son was about a year old and the (older) dr. told the nurse to bind me so I would dry up. After he left she said “I hate to do this to you.” My answer – “You’re not!” So she filled rubber gloves with ice and I used them as ice packs. This helped to releive the pain but I didn’t dry up. Four days later when I got home from the stay my pour, lonesome baby wanted to nurse and I let him. He weined about six months later with less trumatic results.

    Reply
  4. kelli in the mirror says

    November 24, 2007 at 11:44 am

    My doctor said to nurse more frequently, and to point the baby’s chin toward the area that was reddest and hurt the most. That might have been for a plugged duct and not mastitis, though, I’m not sure.

    Reply
  5. Shera ~ A Frog In My Soup says

    November 23, 2007 at 1:04 pm

    As I mentioned on Janice’s post, I first experienced Mastitis with our 2nd son – it was very sudden and horrible, high fever, chills, ugh! I ended up going to the walk in and they injected antibiotics to get things kick started since it had begun so quickly. I did continue nursing through it and they recommended that I pump too.

    I have had it with a couple of babies since then, but never to the extent of the first time, but when it came on it came fast.

    Since then I make a call to my doctor (who thankfully knows my history and trusts that I hate taking antibiotics unless absolutely necessary) and she calls in a prescription for me. I also would always begin the feedings on that side for the duration of the mastitis letting them finish on the healthy side and pumping the infected side afterward. Of course there was also the use of warm moist heat compresses and in-shower massage to help alleviate it. Following all of this was amazingly effective for my last encounter with mastitis!

    I’m thinking of you both and really hope that you don’t have to deal with it again! Blessings!

    Reply
  6. ktjrdn says

    November 23, 2007 at 11:42 am

    My doctor told me the best thing to do was to nurse on that side frequently. Always offer it first. That way it wouldn’t be full and would hurt less.

    Reply
  7. Susan says

    November 23, 2007 at 4:00 am

    Thank you all so much for your encouragement and your stories!!!

    Reply
  8. TNChick says

    November 23, 2007 at 12:42 am

    I didn’t have it while breastfeeding so I don’t know but I hope it goes away, soon.

    Reply
  9. Sara says

    November 22, 2007 at 9:24 pm

    I’ve never had mastitis but have had my fair share of plugged ducts (much easier to deal with and my sympathies with mastitis sufferers!) That aside, it just makes me cringe when I hear of Drs giving miss information. Maybe b/c it reminds me of the misinformation of my inlaws.

    I hope you both recover very soon!

    Reply
  10. Guera says

    November 22, 2007 at 8:46 pm

    I had mastitis with both my daughters and although painful at first, it definitely helped to nurse through it – emptying the breast was the best releif from the pain. My advice would definitely be to take antibiotics if prescribed. With my first daughter I was reluctant to take them as she was just about to have surgery and I didn’t want extra medecines to pass to her when she was about to have a general anasthetic. So I ignored my symptoms and my mastitis turned into a breast abcess which required surgical drainage – we both ended up in hospital within a week of each other. That was EXTREMELY painful but I nursed through it – the biggest problem was that she was at the “grabbing stage” and kept trying to grab at the drain I had to keep in for a few days. Big Ouch! Good luck with both your recoveries.

    Reply
  11. Janine says

    November 22, 2007 at 7:15 pm

    I’ve been blessed to NOT have mastitis… but I’ve heard/read that sleep and nurse nurse nurse is the best remedy. Good Luck!

    Reply
  12. Audra says

    November 22, 2007 at 5:48 pm

    Oh and of course rest and drink lots of water / fluids.

    Reply
  13. Audra says

    November 22, 2007 at 5:48 pm

    I’ve managed to get it a few times (I have six kids) and even though it’s tender, it helps so much to keep nursing on the sore side, too.

    My midwife recommended a natural remedy and cabbage. Anytime I even get a hint of mastitis, I take my Tylonol, natural remedy (I can look it up if either of you are still having trouble – just email me) and wear my cabbage bra lol. Cabbage helps with the inflammation. 🙂

    Reply
  14. Chief Family Officer says

    November 22, 2007 at 5:03 pm

    Yikes! I’ve been lucky enough to not get it but I have friends who’ve had it. It’s miserable but NONE of them were told to stop breastfeeding. So let me cheer you on from the sidelines (I know it’s painful!) and reassure you that you’re doing the absolute right thing!

    Reply
  15. Natalie says

    November 22, 2007 at 11:17 am

    I’m sorry you’re having to deal with that. I had it with my first daughter and it was awful. I took antibiotics and nursed as often as possible. That’s crazy he told you to stop…just crazy! I hope you both get over it soon!

    Reply
  16. Melissa Markham says

    November 22, 2007 at 9:32 am

    Sorry to hear about the mastitis…you and Susan are definitely taking this twin thing too far!

    Reply
  17. Jill T. says

    November 22, 2007 at 7:25 am

    You poor thing…mastitis is not fun. I had it three times with my daughter, and every time my doctor or midwife told me to start nursing on that side. It hurt when the nursing session first started, but it was a relief when the breast was emptied. My mother in law is a lactation consultant, and she told me to empty the infected breast every two hours, whether it was through nursing or pumping. That seemed to really help because as soon as the sore breast started getting full again, the pain got worse. And of course I didn’t dump the expressed milk…I saved that for a late night feeding when it was my hubby’s turn to get up. The most important thing is to take care of yourself and don’t push it. It always seems to surprise me that there are doctors out there who don’t stay informed with the current medical information.

    Reply
  18. heather h says

    November 22, 2007 at 4:06 am

    Whoa, you guys are amazing! My dad is a twin and doesn’t have these parallel happenings, but it would be interesting if he did! Hang in there, you two. I don’t have a mastitis story to share, but my daughter had a mean case of silent gastric reflux as an infant. Oh, the screaming! (Hers and mine!) You would be surprised at how many people told me she was allergic to my milk. I was on a very strict diet to reduce any irritating foods, and luckily my doctor did not tell me to quit, however I wouldn’t have even if she did. There is so much misinformation around there. Thankfully we have the Internet to figure things out for ourselves. Goodness, things people say can be so bizarre!

    Reply
  19. pam says

    November 22, 2007 at 1:29 am

    The only good reason to pump at this point would be so that you could completely empty the breast at each feeding, providing you some relief between feedings. I suffered when this happened, because my sweetie also had thrush and could not feed vigorously enough to make a dent in the milk I was producing.Pumping provided some relief until the mastitis was beginning to heal with the antibiotics.

    Sure hope you both feel better soon. Warm compresses and lavender oil seemed to ease the discomfort, too.

    Reply
  20. Amy says

    November 22, 2007 at 1:24 am

    The real question is, did you get it in the same breast, or in opposite breasts? Because if it’s opposite, you might be mirror image twins, which indicates that the egg split later in development than in regular twins, and one of you might have your organs reversed.

    I’m a total nerd. Pay no attention to the big “L” on my forehead…

    Reply
  21. Darlene Svchact says

    November 22, 2007 at 12:08 am

    Forgot to mention of course that I had antibiotic cream prescribed too.

    Reply
  22. Darlene Svchact says

    November 22, 2007 at 12:07 am

    I couldn’t get out of the house, so I had a house doctor come in and look at my tator tots in the livingroom! That was weird, to say the least. It was so painful. 🙁

    I kept breastfeeding right through, and I took some tylenol three. I was glad that I didn’t stop.

    Reply
  23. Quiet Mom says

    November 21, 2007 at 11:17 pm

    I did the hot towel thing and nursed right through it. Hope it goes away quickly for you both!
    Annette

    Reply
  24. donetta says

    November 21, 2007 at 11:05 pm

    I am proud of you for not just taking what he said as truth. Good for you. I hope both of you are over this soon.

    Reply
  25. Mama Duck says

    November 21, 2007 at 10:16 pm

    Ouch, ouch, ouch, I remember that myself. Rest & feel better soon!

    Reply
  26. Diana says

    November 21, 2007 at 10:05 pm

    Wow! You two really have taken the twin thing too far. I have fraternal twins, age 11. I never developed mastitis, and I’m sure it’s painful. I hope you both get well soon, and good for you! Telling the doctor what he wanted to hear then doing what you know is right.

    Reply
  27. Cathy says

    November 21, 2007 at 9:07 pm

    I had mastitis with my 2nd son. My doctor, who was rather young, actually told me to start all nursing sessions on the breast that was infected to help it clear up. That and some antibotics helped.
    Hopefully you’re feeling better. I felt so sick when it happened.

    Reply
  28. jen says

    November 21, 2007 at 8:07 pm

    hope you get better soon

    Reply
  29. Melitsa says

    November 21, 2007 at 8:02 pm

    Yuk! The M word. It’s horrible but keep nursing. Go with the advice of the lactation consultant. The one thing it taught me was to completely empty a breast. I guess I was a little slapdash. So it was a harsh wake up call for me. Wouldn’t wish it on anyone. I hope it clears up soon for you both.

    Reply
  30. Melissa says

    November 21, 2007 at 7:57 pm

    I’ve had it twice and both my doctors said to continue to nurse and that it actually helps. Make sure you completely empty the breast and rub it out when you can. It hurts, but it seemed to help it heal faster the second time around. I haven’t got it this time. Keeping my fingers crossed!

    Reply
  31. Leah says

    November 21, 2007 at 7:48 pm

    I’ve nursed all four of my babies, numerous times right on through mastitis. The best thing to do is to continue to nurse, even though it is quite painful. I found that wet, hot towels applied directly to the skin really helps with the symptoms, and it feels good.

    This, too, shall pass.

    Keep up the good work, Mama!

    Reply
  32. Jane says

    November 21, 2007 at 7:36 pm

    I kept nursing thru my mastitis–the baby does fine but you’ll feel terrible for awhile. Long hot showers helped alot and plenty of rest!! Glad you both chose to nurse.

    Reply
  33. Ginny says

    November 21, 2007 at 7:30 pm

    I bottle fed, but wanted to say sorry to both of you. It sounds just awful!

    Reply
  34. Kara Andrus says

    November 21, 2007 at 7:22 pm

    That really stinks. I got mastitis twice with my second son, but only mild cases, I didn’t even bother going to the dr, though it was still extremely painful and I felt so sick. I’ve always heard it’s best to nurse through it. I hope it clears up soon for you.

    Reply
  35. Brit says

    November 21, 2007 at 6:20 pm

    Mastitis is terrible! It’s even worse to go to the doctor and have him tell you that! I’m actually a Labor and Delivery nurse and I just have to say that he’s crazy! I agree with Katherine about going to a lactation consultant. You can never go wrong, they know what they’re talking about and have great tricks and tips to help get you through! Hope you feel better!

    Reply
  36. katherine says

    November 21, 2007 at 6:15 pm

    It is actually amazing – or rather sad – how many medical professionals out there are ill-informed about breastfeeding. We’re lucky to have nursing-knowledgeable midwives, and a pro-nursing (and even pro-extended breastfeeding!!) pediatrician. But, I have friends who have been given very bad breastfeeding advice — one was told not to nurse her daughter when she had a stomach virus but to giver her pedialyte. She asked me about it because my son had just recovered from a stomach bug (nursing – in small amounts – the whole time). But, when in doubt about advice you’ve been given regarding anything related to breastfeeding, it is always a good idea to check with a lactation consultant! They’re much more on top of things related to breastfeeding than your average MD or RN. 🙂

    Reply
  37. Shauna says

    November 21, 2007 at 5:57 pm

    Ugh! I hope you’re both feeling better soon.

    Reply
  38. Steph-The OC Mama says

    November 21, 2007 at 5:48 pm

    I had mastitis with my daughter and they never mentioned stopping nursing her.

    Reply
  39. Gretchen says

    November 21, 2007 at 5:45 pm

    That’s not an uncommon response by older physicians, but it is not correct. It may be painful to nurse on that side, but there is no medical reason why you cannot nurse.

    What a great choice you’ve made for your family – keep up the nursing!!

    Gretchen Magruder
    Certified Lactation Counselor

    Reply
  40. Adventures In Babywearing says

    November 21, 2007 at 5:34 pm

    Oh no! I’ve never had mastitis but know there are many natural remedies you might want to try… #1 is to try to get as much rest as possible!!

    Steph

    Reply

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