Booby Juice

Mastitis

Since Thursday, I have been battling a nasty bout of mastitis.  This is my third time around with the infection in the same breast since Justin was born (I didn't get it once with Lucas), and though theoretically a nursing mother can get mastitis at any time, it usually occurs much earlier in the nursing relationship than 6.75 months.

This bout of mastitis was so bad I had a fever of 101 for over 2 days, had aches that radiated from the boob, through the underarm, up the back and around the back of my skull.  I felt like I had the flu and couldn't bare to get dressed.  My headache was so bad I couldn't talk above a whisper and being in the same room with a screaming toddler was excruciating.

Pumping through the infection was brutal, though nursing wasn't as painful.  It took 2 solid days of antibiotics, which I'm taking 4 times a day, before I noticed any improvement.  My boob is still tender and swollen, but I can now function.  My OB thinks that I keep some how reinfecting myself with the infection, so I have sterilized all of my pumping equipment and washed all of my bras.  Let's hope this is the last of it!

If I could write a one-word post, this is what it would be....

MASTITIS.

Yup.  I've got it.  The one breastfeeding affliction I was spared with Lucas came on full force yesterday evening.  By 10:00 pm last night, I felt like I was run over by a truck, had a fever of 101.5 with horrible chills and my left breast was so excruciatingly sore it hurt to breath.

I feel a little better this morning, but my OB thought it still best to start me on some antibiotics.  And surprisingly, nursing from the afflicted boob doesn't hurt as bad as I expected it to.  Now if I could only find a treatment for the human pacifier syndrome.

Thrush

If you are new to breastfeeding and are experiencing constant nipple pain, or if nipple pain appears after weeks or months of previously pain-free breastfeeding, you might have thrush.  Thrush is a yeast infection of the nipples.  Sore nipples do not always mean thrush, so here are some of the most common symptoms associated with the infection:

Itchy or burning nipples that appear pink or red, shiny, flaky, and/or have a rash with tiny blisters.

Cracked nipples.

Shooting pains in the breast during or after feedings.

Intense nipple or breast pain that is not improved with better latch-on and positioning.

Deep breast pain

Here is an article with some pictures (be forewarned, some are graphic) of what thrush looks like, as well as a thrush quiz (as in, "Could your sore nipples be thrush?").  And here are some additional thrush-related links.  The good news is the infection is very treatable and you do not have to stop nursing if you have it.

Breastfeeding Problems

Before I actually started breastfeeding, I thought it would be so easy.  Afterall, BF is a natural act, but I quickly found not necessarily an easy one!  Moreover, I found that it can take weeks before Mom and baby establish a smooth BF groove.

To help you get to that groove as soon as possible, here is a great article with some of the most common breastfeeding problems, such as inadequate supply, infections, thrush, etc.  There's also a nice breastfeeding picture of a good latch-on that's worth checking-out.

Lecithin

Have you ever wondered if lecithin really works at preventing recurring plugged ducts?  Well I was one of those wondering last week.  I have been taking lecithin for 5+ months and was curious if the herb really worked or if my boobs "out grew" recurring plugs.  So I stopped taking lecithin and within 3 days, I woke up to my right boob feeling like a bag of marbles!  Thankfully, I was able to work out all of the plugs with breast massage and pumping, and I am now a firm believer in the powers of lecithin.