Keeping your supply up and preventing the second case of mastitis is important after getting it once. If you have just recovered from an episode of mastitis and are worried that you might get a second one, then read on to find some helpful tips.
Read further to know how you can reduce the risk of getting mastitis again by identifying its causes and avoiding them. You will also learn about breastfeeding with mastitis, signs to watch out for when you get it again, and things you can do to prevent another case.
Overview of Mastitis
What is mastitis? Mastitis is an infection that occurs in the breast tissue. It is characterized by redness, pain, swelling, warmth in the breast, and flu-like symptoms (such as high fever, feeling very tired, etc.). It can happen to anyone who is breastfeeding. There are a few things you can do to prevent getting mastitis: change your breastfeeding technique if you notice your baby is sucking on one side more than the other, drink plenty of water, and wear loose clothing.
Change your position
If you are breastfeeding your baby while you are lying down, try sitting up. Positioning yourself in a semi-upright position will help you get a good flow of milk and will minimize the risk of a plugged duct. Switching your breastfeeding position can help you avoid a second case of mastitis because it will prevent your breasts from getting engorged. If you are bottle-feeding your baby, try breastfeeding.
Some studies show that breastfeeding can prevent the second case of mastitis. The reason is that breastfeeding stimulates your body’s immune system to produce fewer inflammatory chemicals. If you are breastfeeding, try to wear a supportive bra to help reduce the risk of developing a clogged duct or another episode of mastitis.
Watch what you eat and drink
When you are breastfeeding, you need to be mindful of your diet because it can affect your supply. For example, eating a lot of dairy products, spicy food, and certain drinks can decrease your supply and make you more susceptible to the second case of mastitis. Alcohol is also a no-no because it can decrease your supply, which can lead to a plugged duct. So, make sure you eat a healthy diet that is rich in protein and calcium, and try to avoid things that can decrease your supply and increase your risk of another case of mastitis.
Check for engorgement and inflammation
After you get a second case of mastitis, you need to check for engorgement and inflammation before you start treating it. Make sure your breasts are not swollen and tender before you do anything to treat your mastitis. If your breasts are swollen and tender, it means they are engorged. That is why you need to check for engorgement before you try anything to reduce inflammation and fever. Once you have identified engorgement, you can reduce it by pumping or manually releasing your milk. This can help you reduce the swelling and tenderness in your breasts and make it easier to treat the inflammation.
Try natural remedies to treat mastitis
Once you have identified that you have mastitis, you need to take some rest and drink more water. Make sure you take these steps to treat your mastitis:
- Wear loose clothing – Wearing tight clothing can make mastitis worse. Make sure you wear loose clothing.
- Drink plenty of water – Drinking plenty of water can help reduce the risk of dehydration, which can make mastitis worse.
- Rest – You need to take rest so your body can heal.
- Use warm compress – A warm compress can help reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain. Make sure you use a clean cloth and do not apply it for too long.
- Use a warm or cold compress – Applying a warm or cold compress to your breasts can help reduce the pain.
- Take some rest and eat a healthy diet
Don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare provider
If you get a second case of mastitis, you need to contact your healthcare provider. If you try the above remedies and they do not work, you can contact your healthcare provider and get antibiotics to treat your mastitis. If you do not get medical help, it can cause you to stop breastfeeding, which is something you do not want. Your healthcare provider can also check for other issues that could be causing your mastitis and help you treat it. If you are breastfeeding, you can get a second case of mastitis.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding can be a very rewarding experience, but it can also be difficult. One common problem that breastfeeding moms face is mastitis, an infection that makes breastfeeding very painful. Make sure you follow these tips before you get a second case of mastitis.
