Purulent mastitis during breastfeeding. Signs of mastitis during breastfeeding. Symptoms and signs in nursing mothers

“If it turns out to be mastitis, what will happen to lactation?” – I asked with tears in my eyes. “In my experience, there were several cases when girls managed to maintain lactation. You can try,” answered the lactation consultant, “unfortunately, you called too late, if only a couple of days earlier...”

On the way to the hospital, I tried to analyze everything that happened this week after giving birth to understand where I made a mistake. May be the cause of steel inflammation inverted nipples and the cracks that appeared on them, through which the infection entered? Or there was stagnation of milk due to an uncomfortable position during feeding - due to the episiotomy, I couldn’t even roll over on the bed, let alone use different positions. Probably, after the first flush, it was necessary to immediately express milk, but at the courses they said not to express on the first day, and at the maternity hospital the staff were not at all interested in breastfeeding. Well, why didn’t I immediately call a consultant, I listened to the optimistic advice of my friends.

I looked at the baby, who was fast asleep in my arms, and I felt very ashamed in front of him - after all, I, having several honors diplomas, a successful career, am rich life experience, I so seriously let him and myself down in the very first week of our life together.

The consultant, having learned the results of the ultrasound, advised me to make a puncture, remove the pus and return home to be near the child and go to the clinic for dressings. She said that you can and should express milk from both breasts every 2-3 hours, but very carefully from the sore breast. And buy the formula for your child during treatment.

At the regional hospital, the surgeon categorically stated that I needed hospitalization for 10 days, the anesthesia for the operation would be general, since novocaine could cause complications and inflammation in the breasts will do further. He didn’t even discuss the issue of feeding. In his opinion, this topic should be closed: purulent mastitis - direct reading to cessation of lactation. I had to write a refusal to be hospitalized and go to another hospital.

Surgeon on duty district hospital, without looking at the ultrasound form, she accurately determined the diagnosis and, after listening to my intention to feed and be near the child, did not insist on hospitalization. The operation lasted about 10 minutes, I lay on the couch, turned away, and confusedly asked questions about scars, antibiotics and lactation. The doctor allowed me to carefully express milk. “2:1 in favor of lactation,” I thought. A bandage was applied to the chest. Unpleasant and creepy. Somehow keeping herself under control, she returned to the car, where her husband was waiting with the child in his arms.

The first night it was very scary to even remove the bandage from my breast, let alone pump.

The wounds were open, and when pressure was applied, milk, blood, and pus oozed out of them. The temperature rose and I shivered. In the morning at the clinic while I was changing the dressing, I again asked a question to the new doctor, wanting to hear more opinions: is it possible to express or am I harming myself, as the surgeon from regional hospital. I heard a third answer in favor of pumping.

It was not possible to sleep at all: I had to feed the baby, then pump. It was also not possible to use a breast pump. It was painful and to no avail - the milk didn’t come out, not a drop! And on the sore breast there were scars, just where the breast pump attached. I pumped by hand for 20 minutes each breast. There was very little milk, so little that no dishes were needed - a few cotton pads were enough. It was chilling again.

But it turned out that this was not the most difficult and terrible thing. In the morning we were unable to wake up the baby for the next feeding. He slept... and did not wake up. In panic they called an ambulance. The baby was taken to the intensive care unit and we were sent home. They said he would definitely spend a week in intensive care. For the first time in our lives, my husband and I felt a feeling of deep and unbearable anxiety for the life of our child. We didn’t even know what to talk about - we drove in silence and hardly spoke at home, only occasionally “everything will be fine, he’s under the supervision of doctors.” I cried constantly. In the evening we were told by phone that the baby had lost a lot of weight, there was a suspicion of infection and everything would be done for him in the morning necessary tests, in the meantime, they started injecting antibiotics.

“Lost weight. There wasn't enough milk. “It’s my fault,” was running through my head all day long. Because of clever books about the benefits of breastfeeding, I turned into a self-confident fanatic and believed that if a baby sucks for a long time and does not cry, it means he is full - but he sucked for so long because he did not have enough milk, and probably fell asleep hungry and exhausted. We didn't even offer him supplementary food. And during the courses they said: “You can’t have enough milk, you can’t have enough intelligence.” This means that the lack of milk is also my fault... The lactation consultant herself called us several times to find out how we were doing and persistently persuaded me not to blame myself and not to talk about the past, but to focus on what needs and can be done for the future. Only a week later I found out that the baby had pneumonia, and the weight loss was probably not only due to lack of milk.

On the third night, the temperature rose again, the chest turned red, and in the morning I had to go to the doctor on duty for an emergency dressing. And again a harsh tone. He didn’t even bother to change the bandage - he said that the wound had festered, that pumping in my situation was simply ridiculous, and he didn’t understand how they could allow me to do this. I was told the word “abscess”, the meaning of which I only later read on the Internet, and was ordered to urgently go for hospitalization to the hospital where the operation was performed. The surgeon was surprised at my return to the hospital, examined the wounds and said that she didn’t see anything wrong with them, the pus should and would come out as the wound healed, and while the child was in the hospital, she suggested that I go to the hospital.

I remember that week as horrible dream, although I really didn’t have enough sleep then. Every two hours I started pumping. It was difficult to even call it pumping: rare drops of milk oozed from my breasts, which I blotted with cotton pads. Several times during the night I turned it on in the room bright light and, like a sleepwalker, she pressed her chest from the periphery to the center. It felt like torture. And for what? There was no guarantee that the milk would appear - I couldn’t even express 5 ml - or that the baby would latch onto the breast after such a long break, but with unyielding stubbornness I continued to express... every two hours... from the periphery to the center. In the morning – painful dressings. I wanted to sleep, but there was no time to sleep. I often cried and was afraid that due to stress the milk would disappear completely. The women in the ward supported me. But none of them believed in me, none of them ever said “you can do it!”, They said “don’t worry, I raised all three of my children on formula and nothing!” On the third night in the hospital, pus began to be expressed from the sore breast - a lot and directly from the nipple. There were three surgeons in the resident room at once when I was in Once again with a trembling voice she asked: “What should I do?” “Pump. Your baby will need this,” they said. I am very grateful to these doctors.

A week later from surgery, I immediately moved to the children's hospital when the child was transferred from intensive care to children's department. She took him in her arms and did not let him go. They even scolded me and didn’t allow me to sleep with him at night, I nodded and still took the baby to my bed. He still didn’t weigh much, he was spitting up almost all the formula, but I still couldn’t feed him, and there was nothing to feed him. Now I think that in those days I was also saved by the fact that I did not understand how much milk there should be. I thought that once even a drop was expressed, it meant there was milk and I had to express it. But others, with such a meager amount, simply stop feeding and switch to formula. In the hospital, it was not possible to express by the hour, because the baby was crying, I constantly carried him in my arms, sang, talked... and expressed only when he fell asleep. Sometimes after four hours, sometimes after six. I couldn't sleep at all. I had to feed with formula at set hours. And the baby wanted to eat out of schedule. He was too weak to endure hunger. Half an hour to an hour before the mixture he began to cry a lot, got tired and fell asleep hungry...

They brought a mixture that had already spoiled by the time he woke up. I had to start another fight - for supplementary feeding on demand! For me, “feeding by the clock” is still some kind of cruel myth. A week later, when the antibiotics ran out, I asked the doctors to do a milk culture and expressed a desire to start breastfeeding. The head of the children's department said that there is no point in doing bacterial culture - even if staphylococcus is detected there, you still need to feed. This was strange for me, I did a test, staphylococcus actually showed up, but several more doctors confirmed the possibility and necessity of feeding, and I decided to start.

I really wanted the baby to latch on, but I understood that after two weeks artificial feeding It won't be easy through a tube and bottle. I was also confused by the fact that the baby was underweight and did not digest food well, so I could not not give formula and ignore the crying. The first time, to my great surprise, the baby immediately latched onto the breast, but due to the inverted nipples, he could not hold it and burst into wild crying. I calmed him down and offered my breast again - the baby was crying a lot. She gave me a bottle. I was upset, but I understood that not all at once. However, the next day the baby easily latched onto the breast again and - oh, miracle! – began to suck. “Because breasts were the first thing he saw in the maternity hospital. It’s more priority for him than the bottle, so he took it,” our pediatrician explained to me the reason for the miracle two months later. The second week we spent with my son in the hospital, I put him to my breast before bottle feeding for 10-20 minutes. After feeding, I continued to express a little using a breast pump (the wounds had almost healed), but only 5–10 ml was collected.

For the entire second month, I fed the baby on demand - first the breast, then the bottle... There was still very little milk, and my husband and I no longer really believed that it would appear. I even mentally set some conditions for myself: “If things don’t improve in three weeks, I’ll stop lactation.” I drank everything I could drink - Lactogon, Laktovit, some homeopathic granules, brewed dill with nettles, added condensed milk to tea, but most importantly, applied it: day and night, always on demand. And by the beginning of the third month, the child gradually began to refuse the bottle. I checked my breasts - milk was already flowing in a good stream. I was happy and checked the baby’s weight every day, then after two days, then after a week...

Everything is fine. Since the third month, I have been breastfeeding my son only. We are now almost six months old. The baby is gaining weight according to “outpatient” standards, is cheerful and cheerful.
I prefer not to remember what happened. But I’m a little proud that I was able to overcome this, although, of course, I still blame myself for the fact that this happened at all. Well, at some stage I didn’t have enough intelligence to prevent all this in time - I had to correct it with willpower. But the most important thing is that I am truly happy in those moments when the baby looks for the breast, finds it and sucks, with such ecstasy and so sweetly. It was worth it. And indeed, there is probably never enough milk - there is not enough willpower or sincere desire.

Expert opinion

The situation in which Julia found herself was certainly very difficult and alarming for her. It should be noted that postpartum mastitis not that rare; on average they occur in 3–10?% of women. This condition is very painful for a woman: the nursing mother’s well-being suffers, her temperature rises, and weakness is noted. Changes in the affected breast can vary from mild local redness and moderate tenderness to pronounced change color of the affected area, sharp thickening and unbearable pain.

To all of the above negative points It is also added that the woman is forced to somehow resolve the issue of feeding the child. Often you have to stop breastfeeding during treatment. There are often cases when, unfortunately, various reasons, it is not possible to return to breastfeeding the baby, and the baby remains on artificial nutrition milk mixture. This is exactly what the consultant to whom Julia turned for help mentioned.

Julia began her story by mentioning the need to consult a surgeon. That's right, mastitis is a surgical pathology, and the mammary glands should be examined by a surgeon if there is any suspicion of mastitis. But this does not mean that any case of mastitis will necessarily require surgery. More drastic measures (for example, such as the “puncture” mentioned by Yulia) are needed in case purulent mastitis when an abscess forms in the gland and the pus from the cavity must be removed for recovery to occur.

I think that we should not blame the lack of pumping against the background of a flow of milk for what happened. The information that Yulia received during the course was absolutely correct - milk flow does not require pumping. True, there is one condition - if the child actively sucks on both mammary glands. Considering what Yulia wrote - inverted nipples, pain during feeding, awkward positions, preventing the baby from optimally attaching to the breast during feeding, and most importantly, the lack of practical assistance from medical personnel in learning to properly latch on, it can be assumed with a high degree of probability that the release of the mammary glands against the background of a flow of milk was ineffective. Stagnation of milk and possible infection through microcracks in the nipple - these factors may well be sufficient for the development of mastitis. So it's not lack of pumping that's to blame. Correct attachment to the breast when frequent feedings could prevent the development of mastitis in in this case.

I agree with the opinion of the lactation consultant and those surgeons who recommended expressing milk from the affected breast. Lactation does not stop with the development of mastitis; accordingly, milk must still be removed from the gland. If one can agree with the ban on feeding a baby in the case of purulent mastitis (there is no need for a child to receive infected milk, and even with an antibiotic, which is necessarily prescribed for a purulent process), then the ban on pumping is absolutely illogical. Gently expressing by hand or with a breast pump promotes faster healing and helps you return to breastfeeding after recovery, because lactation will continue.

The lactation consultant is also right regarding the temporary transfer of the baby to adapted milk formulas. You should not even feed your baby from a healthy breast during treatment of purulent mastitis - the baby, along with the milk, will receive medications that are not harmless to his health.

But regarding the need to hospitalize a patient with mastitis in a hospital, it is difficult to say unequivocally. The tactics in each individual case are determined by the surgeon consulting the woman. Not in all cases is outpatient treatment (without going to the hospital) acceptable, as was the case with Yulia. It is difficult to comment on the situation with the treatment of mastitis. I assume that the pain when pumping prevented Yulia from removing milk from her breast more effectively. Perhaps this was the reason that the process was somewhat delayed. Swelling of the breast tissue, inevitable with mastitis, also prevents good milk flow. Well done that she survived everything! It must be admitted that not every woman could maintain lactation so persistently. Moreover, surrounded by such contradictory opinions of doctors!

When the swelling of the gland has become less pronounced and the inflammation has decreased, purulent cavity the chest began to drain well (empty). This explains the “flow of pus” from the breast that Yulia mentioned when pumping.

Without knowing all the details, it is difficult to guess why the child’s illness began exactly as Yulia describes it. Severe intoxication (the effect of bacterial toxins on the body), severe weakness against the background of current pneumonia, dehydration (lack of fluid in the body due to a deficiency in its supply) could be the reason that the baby “did not wake up in the morning.” I admit that, most likely, there were some warning signs on the eve of illness, which would allow the parents to suspect something was wrong in the condition of the baby. But Julia had her own serious problem at this moment, therefore, perhaps, she and her husband simply could not see any nuances regarding the child’s health.

You shouldn’t immediately blame “fanaticism” regarding breastfeeding for all the troubles during lactation. And where would we be in this matter without a certain amount of healthy fanaticism?! All lactation consultants know very well that success depends on a woman’s positive attitude towards breastfeeding and confidence in her abilities. Hence the phrase often used by consultants - “milk is formed not in the mammary glands, but in the head”; the more confident a woman is, the more successful she will be in life. breastfeeding. That's why the lactation consultant was concerned when she called Julia after what happened to her and her baby. Under no circumstances should we allow my mother to begin blaming herself for what happened. IN otherwise I would have to forget about lactation.

Answering Yulin’s question about supplementary feeding, I would like to note that you should not rush to offer it to your baby immediately after birth. Prolonged sucking, which Yulia mentions, is quite in the order of things healthy children. Judging by the baby’s behavior, as a rule, it is clear that he is not getting enough – the baby is restless, wakes up quickly, is nervous at the breast, and sucks out little milk. And such a child will not urinate a lot (less than 6 diapers will be wet per day). If these signs were not present, there is no reason to say that the baby was malnourished.

After Yulia’s child began to recover, she began feeding him formula milk, first by the hour, and then, observing the child’s anxiety, she thought about feeding him formula not “on a schedule,” but on demand. Of course, rules for feeding formula by the hour exist for healthy children. But even they often show signs of hunger and require feeding before the due hour. It is difficult to say why Yulia had to prove something in the hospital and “fight for formula feeding on demand.” A sick child lives according to a special schedule, and if he wants to eat earlier, why should he be forced to do so? So, in demanding additional feeding for the baby, the mother was absolutely right. I think that the reason for the refusal was not the callousness or inattention of the staff, but the fact that each hospital has its own established daily routine, which specifies the time for preparing and distributing milk formula. Deviations from this routine are not very convenient for medical workers, although we must give them their due - most of them try to adapt to the needs of each individual child.

Refusing bacteriological culture milk for staphylococcus, the doctors were absolutely right. Since the presence of this microbe in the breast milk of a nursing mother is allowed, this is not a reason to refuse breastfeeding. Hence, there is little point in sowing milk in this situation.

Children in the first months of life have a very good sucking reflex. Yulia's child was successfully fed from the breast for some time after his birth (before his illness). The baby managed to get a positive experience of breastfeeding. In my opinion, this, as well as Yulia’s exemplary perseverance, contributed to fast returns baby to breastfeed after a period of formula feeding.

Frequently applying crumbs to mother's breast often turn out to be more effective than any other methods for increasing lactation. When a baby sucks at the breast, the level of the hormones prolactin and oxytocin, which are responsible for the production and release of milk, increases in the mother’s body. That is, breastfeeding itself helps maintain and stimulate lactation. Other measures, including lactogonic drugs (including homeopathic), various teas and herbal decoctions are not as effective as frequent application of the baby to the breast.

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Mastitis (or in other words inflammation of the mammary gland) is a fairly popular disease. Domestic and foreign sources differ somewhat in estimates of its prevalence, but give an average figure of 3–5%. However, it is worth understanding that this is data. official statistics, and the real situation turns out to be significantly sadder (up to 20%).

The signs of mastitis in a nursing mother (more about them below) are very diverse and, what is most unpleasant, they can easily be confused with the symptoms of a dozen other diseases: from a common cold to pathological neoplasms. This is where the main problem lies: many women do not pay due attention to the body’s signals and consult a doctor when the disease becomes chronic. Treatment of mastitis in a nursing mother (of course, with timely diagnosis) does not present any significant difficulties, so you should not postpone a visit to the doctor just because you are afraid of hearing bad news. But knowing the enemy by sight and being prepared for any surprises is possible and necessary. Moreover, the baby’s well-being depends on it.

Symptoms

The popular belief that the main signs of mastitis in a nursing mother are redness of the mammary gland and an increase in its size can only be considered partially correct.

In fact clinical manifestations illnesses are much more diverse and more dependent on the stage of the disease than on external or internal factors.

Causes

The prerequisites for the occurrence of the disease are quite diverse and do not always correspond specifically to mastitis, and some of them (but not all) do not always depend on the woman herself:

Buy comfortable and appropriately sized underwear, especially when your baby is breastfeeding!

An infection that has entered the body (often through cracks in the nipples);
Various chest injuries (can be caused, among other things, by an incorrectly selected bra);
Inflammatory diseases;
Breast tumors (which, note, most often turn out to be benign!);
Severe milk stagnation ();
Immunodeficiency ( important note for the suspicious: not AIDS, but a decrease in general immunity!);
Hypothermia (typical most often in the off-season);

Attention! If the cause of mastitis lies in malignant neoplasm, the slightest delay can cost you your life!

Unfortunately, cancer is often disguised as nodular mastopathy or intraocular papilloma. Therefore, if you doubt the diagnosis (doctors are people too and can make mistakes), it can be confirmed by another specialist! There is nothing shameful in this, and the final decision on the treatment strategy (note that it is not at all harmless!) should be made only after the conclusion is finally confirmed! And one more thing - don’t give up on yourself and start writing a will: cancer (diagnosed in time) is not a death sentence!

Diagnosis confirmation

It can only be provided by a qualified specialist, and not by a sympathetic (and very far from medicine) friend. To do this, the doctor will talk with the patient and then give a direction for the necessary tests (blood and milk for sterility). If any doubts remain, you may be offered to undergo an ultrasound.

Some doctors suggest starting therapy immediately, without waiting for test results, but unless absolutely necessary, it is best to avoid this. The fact is that treatment with antibiotics can only be effective if the causative agent of the disease is known and the appropriate drugs are identified.

Antibiotics are sometimes poorly tolerated by adults. Babies through mother's milk they will also receive them, and the effect can be very sad! Therefore, they can be used by nursing women only if the benefit exceeds potential harm and only after a doctor’s prescription!

Treatment

Adequate therapy, prescribed based on test results and confirmed by ultrasound, in most cases allows for complete cure.

It depends not only and not so much on the severity of the disease, but on the reasons that caused it:

Infectious mastitis. It is worth preparing for highly effective antibacterial therapy, which, although not completely safe, is not at all as harmful as some experts believe. The doctor will also likely suggest some physical therapy. It is important to understand here that they have a fairly impressive list of contraindications ( oncological diseases, renal or liver failure, purulent diseases, and others), therefore cannot be recommended to absolutely everyone.

Attention! Treatment of mastitis in a nursing mother by surgical intervention – last resort, which is resorted to only if more gentle methods are not effective enough. Therefore, if your doctor insists on immediate surgery, be sure to discuss other options with him.

Mastitis and traditional medicine

The topic is quite controversial and not obvious. On the one hand, a certain positive effect noticed from the use of cabbage leaf compresses (together with honey), fresh leaves burdock and coltsfoot broth. Applications made from grated apple with butter, as well as raw milk-based flatbread, are also very popular among people. butter And rye flour. On the other hand, the attitude official medicine to various folk methods quite ambiguous. Therefore, in no case should they replace procedures recommended by your doctor..

A disease called mastitis is an inflammatory process that often occurs in the mammary glands of a nursing woman against the background of stagnation. breast milk(lactostasis). Early detection and correct treatment mastitis is a fundamental issue that requires increased attention.

Stages of flow

Acute course lactation mastitis characterized by a sequential change of phases. These phases include:

Serous phase. This stage is characterized by the formation of primary pathological changes in breast tissue. At this stage, the woman’s body tries to independently eliminate the source of inflammation. In case of a decrease in general and local immunity mastitis moves into the next stage.
Stage of infiltrative changes. This stage is characterized by rapid spread pathological process over the entire internal area of the mammary gland.
Stage of pus formation. The course of purulent mastitis can occur in the form of gangrenous and phlegmonous forms.

Causes

The following factors can contribute to the development of this disease in a nursing woman:

development of infectious inflammatory process against the background of complete or partial blockage of the mammary gland ducts;
development of cracked nipples and halos caused by poor breastfeeding technique;
the presence of small foci of suppuration (acne) in the area of the mammary glands, which can be an entry point for infection;
non-compliance with the rules of breast hygiene during breastfeeding;
the presence of artificial implants in the mammary glands;
a drop in the body's overall resistance due to diabetes;
Availability concomitant diseases infectious-inflammatory nature;
taking certain hormonal drugs (glucocorticosteroids);
smoking.

The main role in the development of mastitis in lactating women is played by stagnation of breast milk in the mammary glands with subsequent addition bacterial infection. The causative agents of this disease can be staphylococci, coli, streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Symptoms and signs

In nursing women, the symptoms of mastitis directly depend on its stage and the severity of the pathological process. For initial stage The following symptoms are typical:

general malaise and weakness;
increased body temperature;
the appearance of discomfort and painful sensations, aggravated by breastfeeding;
an increase in the size and density of one breast;
When pressed, a sharp pain is felt.

During the laboratory research blood, signs of an inflammatory process are observed, such as an acceleration of ESR and an increase in the number of leukocytes.

In the second stage of the disease, a number of the following symptoms can be observed:

in the area of inflammation there are foci of redness of the skin;
increase in body temperature to high levels;
when palpating the mammary gland, increased pain and the appearance of a softening area are noted;
decreased blood pressure;
the appearance of signs of tachycardia.

The feeling of discomfort and pain can significantly affect the quality of life of a breastfeeding woman. With mastitis it is disrupted normal sleep, and excessive irritability appears.

Diagnostics

Timely diagnosis is the key successful treatment mastitis in nursing women. To identify of this disease The following diagnostic techniques are used:

a clinical blood test to identify markers of inflammation, such as an increase in the number of leukocytes and acceleration of ESR;
ultrasound examination of the mammary glands;
bacteriological examination of fluid discharged from the nipple;
studies aimed at excluding diseases such as actinomycosis and tuberculosis;
mammography (X-ray) of the mammary glands, which allows to exclude benign and malignant neoplasms;
If necessary, a biopsy can be performed to exclude carcinomatous mastitis.

Treatment

To treat this pathology in women during lactation, conservative and surgical techniques. The choice of treatment tactics depends on the severity and neglect of the pathological process. Surgery shown when available purulent formation in breast tissue.

Surgery

During surgery, the surgeon opens the abscess and then cleanses the surrounding tissue. Upon completion of the intervention, the doctor applies an aseptic dressing. Required condition V postoperative period is a technique antibacterial drugs.
After surgery, women report significant improvement general condition and complete disappearance pain.

Conservative treatment

Usage conservative therapy It is advisable only in the initial stage and the infiltration stage. Treatment tactics in this case includes the following areas:

taking antibacterial drugs wide range actions;
if necessary, a woman may be recommended to suppress lactation with medication;
timely and regular expression of breast milk and complete failure from breastfeeding during this period;
taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs medicines that have an analgesic effect;
local treatment by applying compresses and applications to the area of inflammation.

As an effective complement to conservative treatment Physiotherapeutic procedures may be recommended.

Treatment with traditional methods

Get rid of mastitis during lactation folk ways possible provided there are no purulent complications when the disease is in the initial stage of development. The following recommendations may help in this matter:

Physical exercise. Regular physical exercise can not only prevent, but also cure mastitis. Particularly useful are exercises with a small rubber ball, which a woman needs to squeeze with both hands in front of her chest, while feeling tension pectoral muscles. Push-ups from the floor or from a table are effective. 7-10 push-ups a day are enough.
Cold. Proper Use has a cold effect healing effect with mastitis. Cold has an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and absorbable effect. As remedy It is recommended to make ice cubes consisting of ordinary water or decoctions medicinal herbs. Use the resulting cubes to gently wipe the inflamed mammary gland 2 times a day.
Treatment with salt. External use saline solutions has an anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effect. To prepare compresses, cooking and sea salt at the rate of 1 tsp. for 250 ml of water. A small piece of fabric or gauze pad and applied as a compress to the area of inflammation.
Cabbage leaf. Juice white cabbage is an anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory agent. For mastitis, nursing women are advised to apply fresh and slightly mashed cabbage leaves to the area of inflammation. Polyethylene and woolen fabric must be placed on top of the sheet. The compress is best done before bedtime.
Honey cake. To prepare a natural compress, honey is mixed with wheat flour and applied to the mammary gland in the form of a cake. It is recommended to carry out the procedure before bedtime.
Peppermint oil. Peppermint oil is used to treat mastitis during lactation. For local application It is recommended to mix 2-3 drops peppermint oil from 1 tbsp. l. peach or olive and gently lubricate the area of inflammation 3 times a day.

The issue of continuing breastfeeding during mastitis is individual for each woman. Decide this question Only the attending physician can do this after a preliminary examination.

A categorical contraindication is the presence of an infectious focus in the mammary gland. After taking antibacterial drugs, breastfeeding can be resumed only after some time, and provided that negative results analyses.

If a woman has undergone surgery, breast milk must be expressed and pre-boiled. Feeding is done from a bottle.
Breastfeeding can be continued only if mastitis was caused by stagnation of breast milk (lactostasis) without infection.

Prevention

Paying attention to your health is key point regarding the prevention of lactation mastitis. In order to prevent the occurrence of this pathology, it is recommended to adhere to the following tips:

compliance with breastfeeding techniques and personal hygiene rules;
taking turns during breastfeeding, changing the right and left mammary glands;
expressing leftover breast milk after feeding the baby, provided that the mammary gland remains dense;
prevention of cracked nipples and areolas through the use of special nourishing and softening creams.

Predisposing factors are the main cause of mastitis during lactation. In the absence of violations hormonal levels and normal release of breast milk this problem does not arise.

One of the aggravating factors is the late presentation of women for medical care, resulting in the appearance purulent complications and the need for surgery. The earlier the request is made, the more effective the woman’s subsequent treatment will be.

A young mother has to cope not only with unusual chores and worries about the baby, but also with new diseases. Mastitis is one of the most known diseases among nursing mothers, which is a painful inflammation of the mammary glands. We will tell you further how to recognize mastitis in time, why it is dangerous for a woman and what methods it can be cured.

Stagnation of milk in the breast (lactostasis) is considered the most common factor causing disease. If a nursing mother experiences lactostasis, then correct and timely treatment. Otherwise, excess milk accumulates and cannot be removed due to blockage of the milk ducts, and this, in turn, leads to the development of mastitis.

In addition, mastitis in a nursing mother may occur for the following reasons:

decreased immunity and hormonal changes in the postpartum period;
cracks in the nipples, which facilitate the penetration of microbes and infection into the mammary gland;
hypothermia;
non-compliance with breast hygiene rules.

Signs of mastitis

Symptoms of mastitis in a nursing mother vary depending on the form of the disease: serous, infiltrative and purulent.

Serous form

The serous form occurs at the onset of the disease and has the following symptoms:

mild pain and a feeling of heaviness in any area of the chest;
elevated temperature (up to 38–39ºС);
lumps in the gland, which are detected when palpating the chest;
redness on the skin in those areas of the chest where inflammation has occurred.

In some cases, a nursing mother develops general signs diseases (weakness in the body, temperature) earlier than local symptoms (tension in the chest, lumps). At the same time, many mothers wonder how to distinguish the serous form of mastitis from lactostasis, because these diseases have many similar manifestations. To do this, it is necessary to determine the temperature in both armpits. If it is different, then most likely you have lactostasis. Accordingly, at the same temperature on both sides, you are faced with mastitis. In addition, pay attention to how you feel after pumping. With lactostasis it will improve when the breasts are empty, with mastitis it will remain the same.

Infiltrative form

If inflammation intensifies and the disease takes on an infiltrative form, then mastitis occurs in a nursing mother, the symptoms of which are more alarming:

the pain becomes more severe;
compaction is pronounced;
the mammary gland swells and its size increases;
the mother loses strength, becomes weak, and loses her appetite;
on the side of the sore breast they increase The lymph nodes;
the temperature rises to 39–40ºС (due to the penetration of stagnant milk into the blood).

Purulent form

This stage of the disease occurs with a long duration (up to 10 days) of mastitis during breastfeeding.

Symptoms:

pus in the mammary gland (the lump in the center becomes soft to the touch, pus or blood is released with milk);
fever, fever or chills;
dry mouth;
bluish-purple color of the skin of the chest;
nipples change shape and become inverted;
inflammation of the lymph nodes.

If the disease is started and the destructive process proceeds to nearby tissues And blood vessels, then a gangrenous form of mastitis occurs, the treatment of which is more difficult. In this case, areas with black dead tissue appear on the skin. This form of the disease affects all lobes of the mammary gland, and general health It becomes difficult for a nursing mother. Signs such as high fever, intoxication, headache, loss of appetite, rapid heartbeat.

Treatment methods

Depending on the stage of inflammation, treatment can be carried out different ways, including:

with the help of physiotherapy;
with the use of antibiotics;
folk remedies;
surgical intervention.

At serous form mastitis can be taken as prescribed by a doctor antibacterial agents. In addition, it is often necessary to ensure that its residues do not contribute to the proliferation of microbes.

At the onset of the disease and in the infiltrative stage, physiotherapy (for example, treatment with ultrasound) can also help. The advantages of the method are painlessness and relaxation of the milk ducts, thanks to which stagnant milk finds a way out.

Vera, 29 years old: When the baby was 8 months old, I wanted to give up night feedings. As a result, the temperature rose and my chest hurt unbearably! The doctor said it was mastitis and prescribed Tsiprolet and physiotherapy. This saved me, and I continued to feed my son until he was one and a half years old. Health to all mothers!

In the infiltrative form, a course of antibiotics may also be prescribed to relieve inflammation.

To alleviate the condition, you can use the following recommendations:

do not stop stimulating the flow of milk, placing the baby first on the sore breast when feeding and expressing the remainder;
massage the chest from the edges to the center;
apply ice to the sore breast after feeding;
apply ointment to the nipple (Bepanten or Purelan) if there are cracks;
take antipyretics if the temperature rises above 38ºC;
apply hormonal drugs, facilitating the outflow of milk (oxytocin).

Whatever method of therapy is chosen, its effectiveness directly depends on its timeliness. Treatment should be started in the first two days after the appearance of the main signs of the disease. If the disease has progressed to the purulent stage, then surgery may be required.

It is important to remember that each case of the disease is individual, therefore suitable treatment must be prescribed by a doctor.

Anna, 32 years old: I have two children, and I’ve had mastitis many times, even purulent! At first, on the advice of my grandmother, I applied cabbage leaf, but the effect was not particularly felt. I had to take antibiotics and express milk frequently. But as a result, everything worked out without surgery.

Treatment with folk remedies

Efficiency folk recipes controversial, but in combination with traditional ways and under medical supervision, they can help relieve inflammation and reduce pain. Let's present the most popular means:

You can apply a cabbage leaf to the sore breast for a long time (for a day or night).
Fresh leaves of coltsfoot should be scalded with boiling water and applied to the chest for 10–15 minutes.

Is it possible to breastfeed while sick?

Whether it is possible to continue breastfeeding if inflammation occurs depends on the form of the disease. If mastitis has developed from lactostasis, and not due to infection, then feeding is not only possible, but also necessary! The milk should not stagnate so that the disease does not develop, and the baby sucks out the leftovers when feeding much more efficiently than the mother can handle when pumping.

If mastitis has entered the purulent stage, you will have to temporarily stop breastfeeding and transfer the baby to artificial mixtures. In such a situation, during breastfeeding, both infection and active substances antibiotics with which the mother treats.

After recovery and termination of medication, lactation can be restored to its previous volume and continue to delight the child with mother’s milk.

Lactation mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary ducts in a nursing mother during breastfeeding. The main thing for a woman is to correctly identify and not neglect the treatment of mastitis, and a lactation consultant or local doctor will help her with this. Serous (non-infected) mastitis - next stage with similar worsening symptoms (high fever, increased pain and tightness in the chest).

Types of mastitis:

Serous (uninfected);
Infected;
Purulent abscess.

Causes of mastitis during breastfeeding

Mastitis appears when rare feedings or poor breast emptying. When squeezed by a bra, bag strap, sling or car seat belt, all this can cause illness. Stress and overexertion also negatively affect a nursing mother.

Symptoms and signs in nursing mothers

Redness or red streaks appear on the chest;
One breast feels warmer than the other, and there may be pain;
Sometimes, as with, mastitis is accompanied by aches, chills and fever.

Signs of mastitis in a nursing mother are swollen, painful lymph nodes in armpit near an infected breast, rapid heartbeat, flu-like symptoms. Mastitis can lead to a breast abscess, which will look like a hard, painful lump.

Treatment

Postpartum mastitis occurs at any time, but especially during the first two months after childbirth. Then feeding the child becomes regular, which helps prevent the disease and not resort to treatment.

How to cure mastitis in a nursing woman using folk remedies?

A woman with mastitis needs to completely empty her sore breasts and get proper rest. Bed rest- that's the key to quick recovery. Cold compresses should be applied to sore breasts between feedings, and warm compresses immediately before. Often mastitis may not be treated medicines, but the main thing is to contact a specialist in time.

Is it possible to feed a child with mastitis?

You can continue to feed your child during illness not only with a healthy breast, but also with a sick one. Only a specialist can prohibit a nursing mother from stopping breastfeeding completely or partially replacing it with pumping. That is why it is so important to identify the problem in time and prescribe effective and safe methods mastitis treatment.

Prevention of mastitis during breastfeeding

Nursing mothers can avoid mastitis by not complex procedures before the onset of labor. A woman should consult a doctor regarding proper preparation breasts before feeding a newborn, even during pregnancy. The first rule for all diseases is to protect yourself from stress, no matter what, because now you are responsible not only for your own priceless life. Do it constantly light massage breasts, to identify pain, you can entrust the procedure to a loved one.

A nursing mother should protect her breasts from blows, injuries, and bruises. Constant gentle handling of the food manufacturer.
Alternate nipples every 2 hours, and also adhere to hygiene before and after feeding.
It is necessary to avoid hypothermia, give the baby only a warm breast.

Serous (uninfected) mastitis

Rapid development of symptoms of the disease. Accompanied high temperature body 39 degrees (a sign of the body’s fight against infection). Reduce the temperature only in cases where the woman feels very unwell. During the massage, pain is felt in vaguely defined points of the chest. Treat with different medical supplies should only be prescribed by a doctor. Before using any traditional methods or self-medication at home, you must be confident in the correctness and adequacy of the methods of combating the disease.

It is impossible to firmly know the stage of development of the disease, and without a doctor’s diagnosis. All information taken from various sources be sure to check with qualified specialists. The following tips, how to treat acute mastitis, harmless to the health of mother and child:

How to treat serous mastitis for a nursing mother?

Women should feed in different positions and make sure that the baby is attached to the nipple correctly, and not limit it in time. Do not use a nipple substitute for infants. Avoid sleeping on your stomach and wear loose clothing and a bra.

Massage for mastitis should be done only with light movements, and it is better not to do it yourself in order to avoid complications or damage to the delicate mammary glands. Symptoms should subside within 2-5 days. The temperature usually subsides on the first day of the disease. Chest pain goes away on the second day. and the redness will remain for a long time. All of the above will be different from yours. individual symptoms. The main thing is not to panic, but to think first of all for your own health and the health of the newborn and seek help in time.

Infected (purulent) mastitis

Heavy general symptoms female body:

heat,
fever,
intoxication,
acute pain,
bluish tint to the chest.

Urgently call an ambulance at the first signs of mastitis, do not delay in any case, because following complication The disease is an abscess, which can only be cured by surgical opening. The woman will have an incision made in her breast to drain the pus. Antibiotics will become by mandatory means for reception.