Breastfeeding is one of nature’s most beautiful, magnificent miracles. It is one of the things unique to mothers and their babies and can be a wonderful bonding experience. But for some moms, this otherwise beautiful time is overshadowed by a painful condition that can make breastfeeding almost unbearable. 

Mastitis doesn’t only affect women, though. Men, as well as women who are not lactating, can also get an infection in the breast tissue called periductal mastitis.

There are several ways that mastitis can be diagnosed and treated. 

Mastitis is the most common condition to affect breastfeeding moms in the breast tissue or udder (where the milk is developed for the baby). It can occur in both breasts simultaneously, or just one side. 

One in every 10 breastfeeding women is affected, usually within the first three to six months after giving birth.

Symptoms of mastitis

Mastitis, particularly lactation mastitis, is the inflammation of the breast tissue. The inflammation, and sometimes infection of the tissue, can result in severe pain, swelling, ‘heat’ and redness. Sufferers also experience fever and chills.

Lactation mastitis can cause sufferers to feel run down, explains Mayo Clinic. This can make caring for a baby more difficult and tiring. 

Moms are already run down from the lack of sleep that comes with having a new-born, but adding the side effects from the infection can be maddening. Some moms who are suffering from mastitis choose to stop breastfeeding altogether, because of how severe the pain is. 

But this is ill-advised, particularly in the first year of the baby’s life. The breastmilk has unique cultures that are designed to build the child’s immune system. It is nature’s antibiotic. So, continuing to breast-feed, even while taking an antibiotic to treat mastitis, is better for you and your baby, the site continues. However, the mother’s well-being, both mental and physical, is just as important, so every precaution and health measure should be taken to make breastfeeding an all-round joy for both mom and the baby.

Causes

The bacteria most commonly associated with mastitis are Staphylococcus and Streptococci. Cracked nipples and the general, constant wetness around the area are a perfect breeding ground for infection. 

Other risk factors include poor lactation and the use of a breast pump. Improper cleaning of both the nipples and pump after use can also add to the risk of infection.

It is a good idea to perhaps give the affected breast a rest from breastfeeding to accelerate the healing process.

How is it diagnosed?

Mastitis must be diagnosed by a medical professional. The Medical Society is passionate about proper health and nutrition for both children and adults. The Medical Society covers you and your family for whatever unforeseen illnesses may come your way, offering affordable healthcare for adults.

Starting from R89 a month, members are covered for unlimited nurse-room visits, as well as dietary advice from professionals. 

Diagnosis is typically based on symptoms. 

When it comes to mastitis, ultrasound may be useful for detecting a potential abscess. There are also blood tests, and a physical examination is necessary. The fever and chills are a giveaway, says Grow. There are two things to rule out before making the diagnosis of mastitis. The first is a breast abscess, which happens when mastitis isn’t treated quickly, and inflammatory breast cancer, which is rare and shares the symptoms of redness and swelling.

Treatment

There are quite a few natural and medical treatments to relieve the pain of mastitis. Usually, the infection is treated with a strong antibiotic that is safe to use while still breastfeeding your baby. Also, there is a need for a pain medication prescription and anti-inflammatory medication for the swelling.

Many women find comfort in a warm compress to relieve the pain. It is important to be sure that the breast drains completely during breast-feeding. If you have trouble emptying a portion of your breast, apply warm, moist heat to the breast before breast-feeding or pumping milk.

Breast-feeding in fact helps to clear the infection. Weaning your baby abruptly is likely to worsen your signs and symptoms.

In some cases, this build-up of milk can also become infected with bacteria; infective mastitis. There are many treatments that serve to both relieve the symptoms of mastitis and help to clear the blockages of the clogged milk duct. This helps the passage of the bacteria, effectively ending the mastitis infection. It’s important to be totally on top of treating a blocked milk duct or swollen area quickly to avoid the possibility of infection.

Potatoes and cabbage

A more ‘old wives’ type of solution is wrapping a cloth around the breast, filled with thinly sliced potato. Soak the potato slices in water for 15 to 20 minutes. Place the wet slices onto the affected area. Leave it on the breast for 15 to 20 minutes. 

Repeat this again three times in an hour, says Dr Axe. Other people wrap the breast in cabbage to let the milk run freely. Studies show that if you’re breastfeeding and you put the refrigerated leaves of a cabbage plant directly on your breasts, it soothes the pain and can also help lessen breast pain and swelling. Women, therefore, use cabbage leaves to help reduce breast inflammation, relieve the pain and discomfort from breast engorgement that is caused by an overabundant supply of breast milk or weaning a baby from breastfeeding.

For similar reasons that some people place potatoes on the eyes or irritated skin rashes, fresh, wet potatoes stay cool for a long time and have anti-inflammatory properties. Potatoes contain enzymes that can help reduce redness and swelling, and as a vitamin C food, they help infections as well.