Beware of infection when feeding your baby
BREAST infection or mastitis as it is medically termed, is a common problem for lactating mothers in Jamaica. With it comes flu-like symptoms, which can leave a mother feeling drained. Persons suffering from this problem usually have inflamed breasts, which are swollen, painful and hot due to the fever that accompanies it.
Mastitis usually occurs within the first six weeks after giving birth. Although it affects mostly nursing mothers, non-nursing mothers are also affected due to engorgement of the breast. There are two types of mastitis. Non-infectious mastitis is usually due to problems such as a blocked milk duct or having milk remain in the breast tissue for too long. This is caused by not feeding your baby regularly or wearing tight fitting bras. On the other hand, the infectious mastitis is caused by bacteria. Germs typically pass through cracks in the nipple from your baby’s mouth, nose and throat. If left untreated, non-infectious mastitis can become infectious as bacteria attacks the milk in the breast.
“Infections in the breast may be due to breaks in the skin, and common skin bacteria then enter and cause a cellulitis or an abscess. This is most common in lactating women, where if inexperienced, they may position the baby in the wrong way on the nipple and cause cracked sore nipples causing bacteria to enter the breast tissue. In the early stages the condition it is called a cellulitis when there is no pus, just swelling. Later on there is an abscess with a pocket of pus that will need surgical drainage,” explains gynaecologist, Professor Horace Fletcher.
Mastitis can also be caused by a mother’s lower resistance to illness primarily due to stress and poor eating habits. This is especially the case in women who have re-curing mastitis. This is usually a sign that the mother needs to review her breastfeeding habits and make changes.
Although nursing your baby is painful when your breast is infected, it is very important that you continue to breast feed. This will clear up the blockage causing the mastitis, as it keeps your milk flowing. If it comes to the point where breastfeeding is unbearable, then you can use a breast pump to express the milk. And although bacteria are usually the reason for mastitis, Professor Fletcher says the milk won’t harm the baby unless the breast is draining pus. The milk in the affected breast will taste a little salty, but it is perfectly safe for consumption. Mastitis also affects only one breast so you will still be able to breast feed with the other.
Once you’ve had mastitis, you are more likely to have it again, either while nursing your present child or when you have another child. If left untreated, mastitis can result in the formation of abscess in your breast, which will require medical assistance to drain.
“If not treated, the abscess can rupture and drain. In some women, a severe enough infection can spread to the blood and cause death,” says Professor Fletcher.
He says the problem can be effectively treated through the use of some self-help techniques such as feeding the baby more frequently.
Other ways to treat mastitis
1. Antibiotics. This is the main method used to treat mastitis as it helps to fight the bacteria causing the infection. Although you might feel much better after three days of taking this medication, it is important that you complete the full course or you face the risk of having the mastitis return. The usual course lasts for about two weeks.
2. Place warm and cold compresses on your breast before feedings. Place a clean towel in warm water before breastfeeding and place it on your breast. This will help to increase circulation of the milk and fights infections. Also placing something cold on your towel, whether an ice pack or a towel, will help to relieve some of your pain.
3. Massage the breast regularly. Gently massaging the affected breast will help to loosen plugged ducts and increase circulation of milk.
4. Vary positions while breastfeeding. Because of some of the positions mothers use while breastfeeding, babies sometimes do not get enough access to the milk, resulting in a lot of milk being stored in the breast. By varying your positions, you ensure that your child will have more access to your milk.
5. Get sufficient rest. Like with any other major illness, you need to ensure that you get a lot of sleep and rest.
6. Wear comfortable clothing. Wearing loose clothing will take the pressure off your breast and might lessen your pain. If at all possible go without a bra or at least wear a loose fitting one.
