Dear Sheena It is always better if the baby can work the mastitic breast. The baby is much more efficient than expressing. Generally I teach women to place the baby's chin over the affected area so the tongue and chin do the stripping and get the pooled milk moving through the ducts. It is always important that the mouth to breast contact is good. So women can be very creative when placing the baby to the breast. For example say the blocked area is in the top of the left breast then the mother would lie down on the bed and place her baby upside down and face down over her left shoulder so the chin is over the affected area, that means the baby's feet would be up beside the mothers head.
I also recommend ice cube packs on the heated area/s, not the cold gel packs or frozen peas. Cold reduces swelling inside the breast and removes the heat. Application of heat draws the area and can result in an abscess. Suggest ice cubes in a plastic bag, enough to cover the affected area, (ice is more effective - can use cold, soft cabbage leaves once the milk is flowing), place a light handkerchief over the breast so the ice doesn't burn the skin, then place the ice-pack on top of the hanky inside the bras and leave till almost melted then re-freeze and use again. Homeopathic oral Belladonna can remove heat from the breast also. There are other homeopathics that assist with milk flow, so consult with the experts on this. Mastitis is inflammatory initially, if dealt with immediately can reduce or eliminate the need for antibiotics. The earliest signs are 'flu' like symptoms and body aches with breast tenderness or hot spots. The baby is always the most effective. Sometimes the baby won't like the salty taste of the milk which occurs with mastitis and sometimes the result is low supply for a while. The symptoms will resolve quickly once the pooled milk starts flowing and the red area/s is usually the last to recede sometimes up to 3 weeks. The ultimate aim is to prevent the formation of a breast abscess. Good luck, kind regards Robyn Thompson Melbourne Midwifery Specialist Services Pty Ltd (abn 34 007 423 994) Independent Midwifery Practice Midwife Practitioner * Homebirth * Lactation * Maternal & Child Health www.melbmidwifery.com.au [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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