A
breast infection refers to an infection that occurs in the breast tissue, usually caused by bacteria. It can cause swelling, pain, warmth, and redness in the breast. It commonly affects breastfeeding women but can also occur in non-breastfeeding women and men. Treatment typically involves antibiotics and relieving possible blockages in milk ducts to promote healing.
Full definition
• Be aware of any signs or symptoms
of breast infection as you will be at greater risk of it during the weaning process.
Even if you're not breastfeeding, you may need to pump to relieve the pressure on your breasts and minimize your risk
for breast infections.
I also got a small
breast infection which my midwife suggested I treat by eating raw garlic and pumping but I was totally clueless on that as well until it happened to me.
Breast infections most commonly occur one to three months after the delivery of a baby, but they can occur in women who have not recently delivered as well as in women after menopause.
One of my breasts produces very little compared to the other one, and that breast also had a couple of
minor breast infections over the years.
When treated promptly, the majority of
breast infections go away quickly and without serious complications.
Additional treatment
for breast infection is the same as the treatment outlined above for plugged ducts.
They allow us to increase or maintain our supply when we're away from our babies or when we are sick and our supply drops, and can prevent
breast infections from oversupply or poor milk removal.
The «M» Word mas · ti · tis / maˈstīdəs / noun A terrible, horrible, no good, very bad
breast infection As you know, we love breastfeeding
-- Another homeopathic remedy that is helpful
during breast infections, especially those accompanied by respiratory illness such as colds, flu and bronchitis.
His mom Elena was devastated after she had no choice but to stop breastfeeding her son following several
serious breast infections.
The antibiotic that works best for
breast infections such as mastitis is Dicloxacillin however there may be a better option specifically for you body.
Any nursing bra (underwire or not) that is a poor fit can contribute to things like plugged ducts and
even breast infection.
Since then I have had numerous clogged ducts (7 to be exact) and I've had 2 bouts of
breast infections where I've had to be on antibiotics for 7 - 10 days.
An underwire bra that is too small will dig into, pinch, and bind the breast tissue, making plugged ducts and
breast infections more likely.
Fortunately, this early episode of a
terrible breast infection prepared me to be on the lookout for clogged ducts from then on.
Talk to a Lactation Consultant about possible steps to take, such as lecithin supplements, to help reduce your chances of getting recurring mastitis or other
breast infections again.
Be sure to wear supportive bras or tops to protect your breasts as bouncing can cause the milk ducts to leak creating potential damage to the cells - leading to an increase in the risk of
developing breast infections.
Although it's estimated that only 1 - 3 percent of women end up getting a
severe breast infection, known as Mastitis, while breastfeeding, the reasons why are relatively common and completely out of any woman's control.
You should also be aware of the signs of engorgement from breasts that are too full, mastitis from
a breast infection or sore nipples so you can get medical assistance if these problems occur.
Plugged ducts, engorgement, or
breast infections can happen while weaning.
This breast infection really isn't fun at all.
According to La Leche League International, mastitis is
a breast infection and it sounds horrific.
Researchers have found that when a woman experiences breastfeeding difficulties - from a painful latch to cracked nipples,
breast infections, low milk supply and more - she is at an increased risk of PPD (Brown Rance and Bennett, 2016).