Mastitis is painful inflammation of the breast tissue, commonly causing fever, chills, and flu-like symptoms, often due to blocked ducts or infection during breastfeeding. It is treated with antibiotics, frequent nursing/milk expression, rest, and pain relief, typically resolving in a few days with prompt care.
Symptoms of Mastitis
- Localized breast pain: Intense pain, tenderness, or a burning sensation.
- Physical changes: Redness, heat, swelling, or a "wedge-shaped" area of infection.
- Hard lumps: Formation of hard lumps in the breast tissue.
- Flu-like symptoms:Fever (often), chills, fatigue, and body aches.
- Decreased milk outflow: Reduced, sluggish milk flow from the affected breast.
Causes of Mastitis
- Blocked Milk Ducts: Milk becomes trapped, leading to inflammation.
- Bacterial Infection: Bacteria (often Staphylococcus aureus) enter through cracked skin or nipples.
- Ineffective Drainag: Improper latch, infrequent feeding, or oversupply.
- Other Factors: Smoking, diabetes, or, rarely, non-lactational causes.
Treatment and Management
- Antibiotics: Required for treating bacterial infection.
- Continue Breastfeeding: Frequent feeding/expression (8–12 times daily) is critical to empty the breast.
- Pain/Fever Management: Ibuprofen or paracetamol.
- Self-Care: Warm compresses to improve flow, or cold compresses to reduce pain.
- Rest: Essential for recover.
Duration
With prompt treatment (antibiotics), symptoms often begin to improve within 2 days, though the full course of medication must be completed.
With prompt treatment (antibiotics), symptoms often begin to improve within 2 days, though the full course of medication must be completed.
Risk Factors
- Cracked or sore nipples.
- Previous episodes of mastitis.
- Long intervals between feedings or skipped feedings.
- Improper latching or baby's feeding difficulties.
- Fatigue and high stress.
