Mastitis is a condition when a woman's breast tissue becomes abnormally inflamed or swollen. Mastitis is usually caused by an infection in one of the breast ducts. This condition occurs almost exclusively in women who are breastfeeding.
Below are some things you need to know about mastitis in breastfeeding women.
Symptoms of Mastitis
Inflammation that occurs can cause pain, redness, and a warm sensation in the breast. In addition, you may also experience a fever. Here are some other common symptoms of mastitis:
- Breast swelling.
- Breasts often itch.
- Sore breasts while breastfeeding.
- There is a painful lump in the breast.
- There is a small wound on the nipple or breast skin.
- Fever with a temperature over 38.8°C.
Causes of Mastitis
Mastitis can occur with or without infection. Here are two common causes of mastitis that occur in pregnant women:
1. Clogged ducts for breast milk.
If the breast is not completely empty after breastfeeding, one of the milk ducts can be blocked and cause a buildup of milk which triggers inflammation in the breast.
2. Bacterial infection
Bacteria on the surface of the baby's skin and mouth can enter the breast ducts through the gaps in the nipples while breastfeeding. In addition, piles of breast milk left over from breastfeeding can also be a place for bacteria to breed. The body releases several chemicals to fight an infection that causes inflammation.
Bacteria that cause mastitis can be found on the mother's skin or the baby's saliva.
Mastitis Risk Factors
The following conditions and factors can increase the risk of mastitis
- A wound on the nipples.
- Using only one breast for feeding.
- Improper breastfeeding technique.
- Using a bra that is too tight to limit the milk ducts.
- Smoke.
- Too tired or stressed.
How to Prevent Mastitis
Reduce the risk of developing mastitis by following these steps:
1. Keep breastfeeding
The most effective way to get rid of mastitis is to continue breastfeeding from the breast that has mastitis, even if it hurts. Stopping breastfeeding will worsen the condition of mastitis.
2. Do the breast pump
The remaining milk after breastfeeding can trigger mastitis. Therefore, pumping breast milk between breastfeeding schedules can help remove the remaining breast milk.
3. Make sure to breastfeed with the right technique
Pumped breast milk can be stored for use when needed
Taking antibiotics can usually treat the infection completely. The mother can still breastfeed her baby during this treatment because the infection is in the breast tissue and not in the milk. In addition, ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be used to reduce the pain and fever that is felt due to mastitis.
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Sources:
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2022). Mastitis. [online]. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mastitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20374829
Pritchard, J. & Weber, M. (2016). Mastitis. [online]. https://www.healthline.com/health/mastitis.