| Get Into It! Spring - Summer 2008 |
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Mastitis: For a fever, mix a dropperful of echinacea tincture, three cloves of raw garlic and four to six ounces of carrot juice in a blender and drink the mixture every two hours. If there is no improvement after 24-48 hours, contact an understanding doctor. |
“My friend is having some serious pains and chills and believes that she may have blocked milk ducts or something. She is not sure about taking painkillers while nursing.”
It truly sounds as if she may have a breast infection (mastitis). The best course of action is to go see her doctor as she may need a course of anitbiotics to clear it up. Is there a hard, sore spot on the breast somewhere? Is it warmer to the touch than the rest of her? Is the sore spot a little pinkish/reddish? These are all signs of a plugged duct, which leads to the mastitis. Once you feel the chills and feverish feelings come in...yeah...it is mastitis.
PLEASE tell her to continue to nurse her baby! Her milk is still fine despite how rotten she feels and is still the best thing for the baby. Double check with the doctor that the antibiotic that is prescribed is breastfeeding friendly, even though most antibiotics are these days and most doctors are fairly literate and aware of these things.
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La Leche League
is an international organization that helps mothers to
breastfeed through mother-to-mother support. To ask a
breastfeeding question or find a meeting near you, call
1-800-665-4324 or visit |
For future reference, if she feels a plugged duct coming on, try hot compresses on the sore spot, massaging the area and of course lots and lots of nursing. In fact, it is probably a good idea, if possible, to simply retire to bed and do nothing but nurse until the plug is released (I know this may be a stretch, especially if she has a household anything like mine). When she does nurse, she should use varying positions so that pressure is put on different parts of the ducts to help release them. Lastly, even though this may sound strange, try a cold pack on the sore spot too to help relieve the discomfort.
Tylenol and other over the counter type pain relievers are safe for nursing mothers. Tylenol is what got me through my early post partum days when I was trying to establish breastfeeding and dealing with after birth issues. Still, do all of the above things even though you may get antibiotics.
Peace and good nursing vibes to you.
Suzanne Lim, mother and representative for La Leche League.
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