Mastitis is an inflammatory process in the mammary gland. This pathology worries almost 6% of young mothers. As a rule, this happens in the first 3 months of a child’s life, but cases are not excluded that in the future this may happen again.
The causes of the disease
As a rule, this disease develops as a result of stagnation of milk in the mammary glands. This is due to their uneven emptying. For example, when a woman feeds only one breast for a very long time. Also, mastitis in a nursing mother (see photo below) can develop if the baby is not properly applied. Or with a badly selected bra that squeezes the mammary glands.
Symptoms of mastitis in a nursing mother
As mentioned above, the first and main symptom of an ailment is milk stagnation, which is most often manifested by a significant increase in body temperature. With the progression of the disease, the following symptoms of mastitis in a nursing mother may appear:
- chills;
- insomnia;
- pain, and sometimes swelling of the breast in the area of stagnation.
At the same time, doctors divide this disease into two types - simple lactostasis and serous mastitis. In the first case, when measuring body temperature, you can find that from the side of the diseased breast, it will be slightly higher. In the second case, a diffuse temperature is observed in the nursing mother (serous mastitis). With lactostasis after expressing a sick breast, the woman's condition will improve. But with serous mastitis, relief comes after a certain period of time.
Treatment
If the symptoms of mastitis in a nursing mother confirm this diagnosis, then, as a rule, the doctor prescribes antibiotics and painkillers (Paracetamol or Ibuprofen). At the same time, some advise to stop breast-feeding a baby for a while, especially if this process brings strong pain. In this case, do not forget to express milk.
Prevention
In order to prevent the symptoms of mastitis in a nursing mother, the first thing she needs to do is apply the baby on demand. It is advisable that they be together from the very first minutes in the hospital. It is also worth taking into account the bra, which in no case should squeeze the mammary glands. The solution will be to purchase a special product for nursing mothers. As a rule, it has wide straps and opening cups that give free access to the chest.
Some people advise washing their breasts with soap before each feeding. But recently, doctors have become of the opinion that this procedure only rinses off the protective layer of lubrication of the mammary glands, which can lead to cracks in the nipples. If they have already appeared, then after each, even small-time application to the breast, it is necessary to lubricate them with sea buckthorn oil or a special ointment.
If you feel that the baby has poorly emptied her breasts, drain a little milk. But to do this to the last drop, as advised before, is not worth it. It is enough that you will feel relief.