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Honestly — this is getting ridiculous…

December 13, 2008 by Janice

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

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Mastitis for the sixth time WHILE I am still on antibiotics from the fifth bout? Yes, this is getting ridiculous.

Earlier this week, I came down with mastitis for the fifth time. I wasn’t too fazed by it — just get back on the antibiotics and soon all will be well again.

Mere hours after my first dose, I could feel the inflammation subsiding. Ah, the miracle of antibiotics!

But last night, while I am still on my course of antibiotics mind you, I noticed the unaffected breast was now incredibly sore. “That is strange… but, it couldn’t possibly be mastitis…”

Today, I woke up with a huge headache AND the telltale tender, red marks of mastitis on my left breast. (As I mentioned, this had been the unaffected breast. The mastitis had been in my right breast.)

I am defeated. Neither Olivia nor I are ready to wean and besides, how am I supposed to WEAN when I am so prone to mastitis? That will be a big, messy, painful disaster!

I co-sleep with Olivia and there is no way to explain to a 14 month old in the middle of the night that we don’t nurse anymore.

I don’t know what to do. I suppose getting more sleep at night might help. These last weeks I have been running myself into the ground, going to bed after 3 or 4 am every night. There has just been so much work to do this season and so many activities with the kids. While I try to make up for it with naps, I know it is not a healthy way to live.

Right now, I am heading to the clinic to hear what the doctor has to say.

Have any of you had problems with multiple bouts of mastitis?

UPDATE: First – thank you so much for your thoughts and advice! I am definitely going to take resting more seriously.
Second – the doctor at the clinic thinks that the antibiotics aren’t working well enough and that maybe the infection has been lingering and returning on and off. So, he gave me a much stronger antibiotic and I am on a double dose for the next 24 hours. Hopefully the stronger meds – and taking better care of myself – will get it under control. I am NOT ready to wean.

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About Janice

Janice is co-founder of 5 Minutes For Mom. She's been working online since 2003 and is thankful her days are full of social media, writing and photography.

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27 Comments

  1. Lisa V says

    December 17, 2008 at 2:22 am

    Hi, i went back and found everything i was told to do, i just copy and pasted…..
    Every morning I take: Lecithin, B6, kelp and grapeseed extract

    Evening: Prenatal and fish oil

    MOST IMPORTANT: Stopped using anti-persperant and switched to Burts Beas Deoderant with lavender and sage

    When I feel a clogged duct or potential mastitis: I soak my breast in dandelion root tincture, take vitamin c and of course GO To Bed!

    and heres the link to when she posted it.
    http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppplayjul04n/?msg=517.5

    good luck!

    Reply
  2. Lisa V says

    December 17, 2008 at 1:58 am

    Oh i know how you feel. With my kids my #4 i had frequent breast inf. and an online friend is a lactation consultant and she told me to stop wearing antiperspirant (and a couple other things, id have to look them up)and to use burts bees deodorant spray. Its not an antiperspirant. Surprisingly i wasnt a sweaty pig, lol. I truly believe stopping the antiperspirant was what stopped me from getting anymore breast inf. She literally saved mine and my sons breastfeeding relationship. I think he was 2 months at the time and he nurse till 21 months. I hope this helps you.

    Reply
  3. SarahHub says

    December 15, 2008 at 4:36 pm

    Oh, Janice! I am so sorry!

    Praying the antibiotics and rest help.

    Reply
  4. babyrocasmama says

    December 15, 2008 at 3:46 pm

    I never had mastitis, thankfully, but I heard about it from other friends. Their descriptions were horrible!

    I did, however, nurse my daughter until she was 15 months old & got all kinds of crap from EVERYONE about it. So I am glad to find someone else who nursed as long as I did.

    The funny thing is, there was no weaning involved. Ro just decided one day, just after we had moved, that she didn’t want “boo boo milk” anymore. And we were done. Just like that.

    Now if only her potty training was that easy!

    Reply
  5. mamapadawan says

    December 14, 2008 at 11:13 pm

    Yep, I had mastitis SIX times with my son! Here’s what I did:
    * Once the mastitis is gone, take a decongestant. This will help dry you out. Works wonders.
    * Stay away from any and all foods that could possibly increase your supply. For me, it was Outback steakhouse. I stayed away from red meat, which seemed to be a green light to have my breasts feed Louisiana (I made 100 oz a day at my peak, so I FEEL YOUR PAIN!!!)
    * RUN to a drug store and buy lecithin. This is a natural emulsifier found in soft cheeses and eggs, and is what keeps eggs “runny” and cheese like colby soft. Lecithin will help your breasts drain the fatty hindmilk more easily. Take 3 capsules a day. You might actually see an increase in your supply, but don’t worry – you aren’t making more milk, the hindmilk is just coming out more easily. It takes about a week for the lecithin to *really* kick in.

    I finally weaned my daughter at 20 months, and I didn’t have mastitis with her once (isn’t the first baby ALWAYS the toughest?!?). She was a *dream* to wean: I simply stopped offering her the breast, and she dropped nursing within a month. Thanks to the lecithin and my ability to break up blocked ducts with ease in the hot shower, I didn’t have any mastitis with her.

    Would you like some milk? I think I still have about 5 or 6 gallons in my deep freeze… 😀

    Reply
  6. Heather says

    December 14, 2008 at 9:17 pm

    Sounds like you’ve already gotten some great advice. Just wanted to comment and say that I think you’re doing a great job to continue to nurse despite the bouts of mastitis. You are a great mom.

    Reply
  7. Heather says

    December 14, 2008 at 9:14 pm

    Hey Janice, I’m late to read this but I wanted to say first, I feel your pain. When my son was young, I got mastitis six times in seven weeks. Then, I ended up with shingles because my immune system was so weakened by the mastitis. As it seems your doc already suggested, the thing that finally broke my cycle o’ pain was to get a very strong antibiotic by IV. (The last time I got it, it scared the heck out of my doc because my fever was 106 and not coming down!) Hang in there! And, yes, weaning isn’t an option when you have mastitis, it does more harm than good. And, rest, rest, rest!!

    Reply
  8. Kristin says

    December 14, 2008 at 7:07 pm

    You poor thing! Get some rest for sure.

    Reply
  9. Petula says

    December 14, 2008 at 6:38 pm

    Wow! I hope the double antibiotics work. I heard that can be very painful. Take care, and yes get more rest… Also, if I were you I’d try a natural remedy as well.

    Reply
  10. Baba says

    December 14, 2008 at 1:13 pm

    Hope the larger dose of the new antibiotic does the trick. You stick to your nursing guns mom!

    Reply
  11. Jennifer says

    December 14, 2008 at 12:49 pm

    Oh no Janice!

    Are you open to homeopathic remedies? Belladonna is great for full blow mastitis. Warm showers, lots of nursing. I was SO prone to plugged ducts with my first and homeopathic Phytolacca wa a life saver for me.

    Praying for you and your little one. You must be in so much pain!

    Reply
  12. se7en says

    December 14, 2008 at 1:53 am

    I am so sorry for your pain – it really sounds just hideous. There is really nothing worse than the intense pain and discomfort of mastitis – really it is so mind blowingly awful and what a horrible thing to endure.

    Have you thought of calling your local la leche leahue leader – the number will be in your local phone book or on the website. And if you don’t want to talk to a person but need results then have a look at their answer page:

    http://www.llli.org/nb.html or their breast problems and pain page: http://www.llli.org/NB/NBbreastproblems.html

    I am afraid there is only one answer… you will have to rest, you will have to go to bed with your baby and rest and when you are finished resting then you will have to rest some more… and when you are so completely finished resting you will need to think what work effort you do causes you to be run down and get it.

    I had a friend who got mastitis every time she vacuumed – seriously, every time… after battling with mastitis for ever, and not vacuuming when she “thought” she was fine, she finally managed to live without vacuuming. Two more years vacuum free!

    Really all the best to you, I hope you get better really soon.

    Reply
  13. Renee says

    December 14, 2008 at 1:46 am

    I had the same problem with my first born! this time around when the first sigh appear I pumped until my breast was emptied and then took a hot bath and then nursed and that solved the problem!

    Yes rest plenty of rest and fluid and empty breast will do the trick I’m sure!

    Reply
  14. Upstatemom says

    December 14, 2008 at 12:11 am

    Oh my goodness! That is terrible. I am currently in my first nursing experience and am really hoping to avoid this problem. I will have to try to remember to sleep. 🙂 Easier said than done with a three month old.

    Reply
  15. Stephanie says

    December 13, 2008 at 11:18 pm

    So sorry to hear about the 6th time. I admire your dedication to breastfeeding. Rest up and get well!

    Thinking of you,
    Steph

    Reply
  16. Amy says

    December 13, 2008 at 10:51 pm

    Yes, REST, REST, and REST some more. Seriously, Get someone–or several someones–who can help you out, pretend like you have the flu (which is what it felt like to me anyway) and do as little as possible. And drink lots–Gatorade, water, whatever you prefer with no caffeine. Once you’re over it, REST and DRINK as soon as you feel those “twinges” of pain in your breast–that’s the signal that you’re on the verge of mastitis again. Praying for you!!

    Reply
  17. Husband Clothes says

    December 13, 2008 at 10:31 pm

    Well, not sure if this will make you feel better or worse!

    I did not have huge problems with mastitis. However, with my first child, I was unable to nurse period–no milk. It wasn’t due to anything I did–there just wasn’t any milk. I was sooooo devastated.

    Nevertheless, mastitis certainly is NO walk in the park. I hope you find relief soon!

    Reply
  18. Jen says

    December 13, 2008 at 10:28 pm

    Girllllll. Gosh I am so sorry hun. Yes definitely get more rest, but I bet the doctor is on to something. I bet the original infection has never got out of your system and the antibiotics are just masking it for the time being. I bet this strong antibiotic will definitely do the trick. Make sure to get you some acidophilus to be taking with the antibiotic. Acidophilus is a pro-biotic. You can get it at your local drug store. Big (((HUGS))) get some rest.

    Reply
  19. Sharon says

    December 13, 2008 at 10:15 pm

    I am so sorry! I applaud you for sticking to it, though. ((hugs))

    I’ve had Mastitis, too, but not as severely as you.
    I’ll say a prayer they can pinpoint it soon!

    Reply
  20. Kelly says

    December 13, 2008 at 10:12 pm

    Girl, you have got to get some REST.

    I had multiple bouts of mastitis last January and February after Teyla was born. And my doctor jumped all over me when she found out I was driving my older kids to school. “GET IN BED AND DON’T MOVE!”

    This is a pretty serious infection, Janice. Antibiotics alone don’t always cut it. You need to rest.

    And that’s my loving and unofficial opinion. Get thee to bed, darlin’.

    Reply
  21. Queen-sized funny bone says

    December 13, 2008 at 10:07 pm

    oh goodness I hope you get some kind of relief and comforting words from the doctor. Hang in there.

    Reply
  22. Angie says

    December 13, 2008 at 10:02 pm

    You poor thing. I am prone to thrush, and I thought that was bad. I can’t imagine dealing with mastitis over and over.

    I hope they can offer you some relief and some antibiotics that kick it for good.

    And, yes. Try to rest as much as you can. Your body heals while you sleep, and if you’re not getting that sleep, it can’t heal.

    Hugs to you. I hope it’s over soon.

    Reply
  23. Mom24 says

    December 13, 2008 at 9:41 pm

    I am lucky enough that I have never had it. I can’t imagine how horrible what you’re going through is. I hope it gets better. In my ignorance, I would guess that more sleep and trying to be better to yourself (though maybe not your career)would help. Good luck. {{{hugs}}}

    Reply
  24. Amy says

    December 13, 2008 at 9:41 pm

    I’ve never had it (thank goodness!) but my sister-in-law has. You’ve said it… you know what you need… REST REST REST! Go to bed! The sun will still come up in the morning even if you don’t work all night. Do what’s best for YOU and your DAUGHTER. The rest will take care of itself. 😉 Take care!

    Reply
  25. Amy says

    December 13, 2008 at 8:50 pm

    Oh Janice… I am so sorry! Ugh… mastitis is for the birds! I got rid of all my underwire bras… for me that was the culprit… so so sorry.. sending out a prayer for you tonite!

    Hugs.. Amy

    Reply
  26. TheAngelForever says

    December 13, 2008 at 8:09 pm

    Have they given you the same antibiotics each time? Makes me wonder if your body is just too used to them. I would not give up on nursing yet. Do you have a lactation consultant that you can talk to?

    When my oldest was born I had double mastitis. He was not latching on and I had not started to pump. It was the most horrible experience I have ever been though with two rock hard, red and hot breasts. This time around I have been lucky and have avoided mastitis for 19 months now. I came close a few times, but caught the signs quickly.

    Good luck finding something that work for your and your little one. Feel better 🙂

    Reply
  27. Christy M. says

    December 13, 2008 at 8:05 pm

    I’m so sorry you’re dealing with mastitis. I don’t have much to offer as far as advice goes, but I’ll keep you in my thoughts. I hope the doctor has a solution so you don’t have to give up nursing.

    Hugs!

    Reply

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