Breastfeeding, Mastitis
Breastfeeding may be painful. If there is tenderness at first, it should gradually go away as the days go by. Poor latch-on and positioning are common causes of sore nipples. This is usually because the baby is not getting enough of the aerola (the colored portion around the nipple) into his or her mouth, and is sucking mostly on the nipple.
> It is most common for many women to have a plugged duct in the breast at some point of she breast-feeds. A plugged milk duct feels like a sore lump in the breast. It is not accompanied by a fever. It happens when a milk duct does not properly drain, causing pressure to build up behind the plug. A plugged duct usually occurs in one breast at a
> A breast infection (mastitis), on the other hand, is soreness or a lump in the breast that can be accompanied by a fever. You may also have yellowish discharge from the nipple, or the breasts feel warm or hot to the touch and appear pink or red. It is not always easy to tell the difference between a breast infection and a plugged duct because both have
> Mastitis develops when bacteria gets under the skin through cracks in the nipple and the breasts, causing the infection to develop.
>Breastfeed or pump the breast more often on the affected side. This helps loosen the plug, keeps the milk moving freely, and prevents the breast from getting overly full. Nursing every two hours, both day and night on the affected side first can be helpful.
> If you do not feel better within 24 hours of trying these steps, and you have a fever or
your symptoms worsen, call your doctor. You may need an antibiotic.
> Even if you need an antibiotic, continuing to breastfeed during treatment is best for both you and your baby. Most antibiotics passed in your breast milk will not hurt your baby.
> Increase your fluid intake especially is you have a fever.
> If mastitis is not treated properly, you may develop a breast abscess, which requires Thrush (yeast) is a fungal infection that can form on your nipples or in your breast because it thrives on milk. The infection forms from an overgrowth of the candida organism. Candida usually lived in out bodies, but when the natural balance of bacteria is upset, candida can overgrow, causing an infection. Some of the things that can cause thrush include:
1) Having an overly moist environment on your skin, or nipples that are sore or cracked.
2) Taking antibiotics, birth control pills or steroids.
3) Having a diet that contains large amounts of sugar.
4) Women with diabetes have a higher incidence of thrush and fungal infections.
> Having sore nipples that last more than a few days, even when your baby’s latch and
> Getting sore nipples suddenly after several weeks of normal nursing
> Pink, flaky, shiny, itchy, blistered or cracked nipples