mastitus, need help weaning

[wright1212]

So I got Mastitus..it is soooo painful-all over. Then the engored breast hurts so bad I can barely walk. So I have decided to not feed on the left side anymore. If you read my other post you would see a pattern of constant problems on my left side since day1. I think its mostly due to scar tissue from a lumpectomy.

So how do you wean from one side? Especially when he wont even eat on that side and it hurts horribly.
Also has anyone soley breastfeed from just one breast?

[The Loud]

If you have mastitis and feel really awful, you might need antibiotics. Ask your doctor. You definitely need lots of rest. Nursing lots on that side should help clear the blockage. If he's not nursing, pumping might do the trick.
Here's some more mastitis info:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html
And info about recurring mastitis:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/recurrent-mastitis.html

I think I have scar tissue in one breast from a car accident. I used to get 3 or 4 plugged ducts a week that would last for days each, so basically I always had a plugged duct or two and couldn't move my right arm without a lot of pain. I never got actual mastitis, thank goodness. When I started taking lecithin every day, the plugged ducts went away! If I forgot a dose, they came back. I highly recommend lecithin:
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/vitamins/lecithin.html
It's only about $7/pound in bulk at the health food store, and eating 3 teaspoons a day keeps my plugged ducts away.

If lecithin doesn't work for you, and you really want to wean on one side, suddenly stopping nursing on that side is one way to do it, but it would be an awfully painful way. You could ask your doctor about pain medications. It would be less painful to just nurse (or pump) a little less every day, so your supply can drop gradually.

I've heard of women who've had a mastectomy successfully breastfeeding with the remaining breast, so it can be done.

[Eje]

I did have mastitis....yes, I agree with the Loud, I'd recommend to talk to your doctor or HC provider about taking antibiotics. I started on antibiotics too late and ended up having abscess...it was so painful but mostly frustrating because it had taken me so long to come to exclusive breastfeeding (I wrote before about my story: c-section, premature baby, late stimulation of lactation, etc). As a result, I had to stop breastfeeding from one side since it was impossible - the scar tissue from abscess formed just below areola and my son could not latch properly. However, I pumped regularly from the affected side for a month or so, gradually reducing number of pumping sessions. I'd pump every time I'd feel discomfort on that side. It all happened when my son was 3 months old and, I guess, it was a bit late for me with one breast to catch up with his huge appetite - I had to complement with formula. Now he is 6 months old and I'm still breastfeeding him + formula+solids. Once we started giving him solids, I'm cutting back on formula, but keeping breastfeeding as before. I heard from other moms who had to breastfeed from one side (for different reasons) that it was absolutely possible to breastfeed exclusively even with only one breast.

[wright1212]

Thank You so much. I had already called the doctor yesterday morning and started antibiotics in the afternoon. I am also taking 800mg ibeprofen which helps with the aching and fever. Feeling a bit better today-no fever. And my appetite is back. AND he finally ate on that side for more than 5 min! (20+) I will definately get some lecithin to have on hand so next time I feel a hard spot I will be ready.
I also decided that I should wait until I not really sick to decide to wean one side. If it still really hurts after I am better-then I will wean.

[The Loud]

Glad to hear the good news.

I think lecithin might help clear a duct that's already plugged, but its main use is to prevent plugs from forming in the first place. If you take it every day, even when you don't have any plugs to remind you, it should prevent your ducts from getting plugged again.

Right now, you need rest, but if you can, send someone out to a health food store to get you some lecithin. Or maybe find a health food store that delivers. Or you could order online if you don't mind waiting for shipping. You could google lecithin granules to find the cheap bulk form I take, or get pills, which are more expensive.

I don't mind eating the granules. They taste like bland little chips of wax. Two or three times a day (at each meal) I eat a teaspoonful, then take a bite of food to wash it down. Or you could take pills.

[Jill_at_StorkRadio]

also, my mw told me i was getting mastitis and she said that it is important to KEEP feeding on that side - the reason being that the milk is getting clogged so the baby has to keep it flowing.

[liz08]

Glad to hear you got an antibiotic. I hate them, but it's definitely far better than being sick and trying to get rid of it on your own. Definitely look into the lecithin, and try taking it on a daily basis as opposed to only when you feel a plugged duct or mastitis coming on. It's very good for you anyway, and it acts as an emulsifier, so it will help prevent any future problems. It's also really inexpensive (got mine cheap at seacoastvitamins.com). If you continue to have problems on that and decide to wean on the one side, then I would definitely recommend doing it slowly. Plugged ducts come from being engorged, so stopping cold turkey would likely make things worse for you. Try to nurse or pump and gradually taper off until you can just stop. I weaned gradually and never had an ounce of pain or any engorgement or leaking problems.