Mastitis is inflammation or swelling of the breast tissue that may or may not include a bacterial infection. Mastitis can occur anytime during lactation, but usually happens in the first six weeks of breastfeeding. Find out how to prevent and resolve mastitis, and when to seek medical help.
Mastitis
Image by StoryMD
About
Breastfeeding is hard. Getting mastitis makes it even harder
Image by StoryMD
Breastfeeding is hard. Getting mastitis makes it even harder
Mastitis is an inflammation or infection of the breast tissue, and it affects up to 1 out of 10 breastfeeding mamas.
Image by StoryMD
What Is Mastitis?
Every breastfeeding experience is different. Some mothers have small challenges that become bigger with time. It is important to be aware of breast changes because sometimes they are signs of a breastfeeding challenge that is about to become a bigger issue.
Mastitis is inflammation or swelling of the breast tissue that may or may not include a bacterial infection. Mastitis can occur anytime during lactation, but usually happens in the first six weeks of breastfeeding.
Source: Arizona Department of Health Services
Additional Materials (5)
Mastitis
Mastitis is an inflammation or infection of the breast tissue, and it affects up to 1 out of 10 breastfeeding mamas.
Image by StoryMD
Mastitis: Recognition and Treatment
Video by WSU Spokane/YouTube
Causes of Mastitis
Video by AllHealthGo/YouTube
Mastitis & New Moms
Video by Lee Health/YouTube
Mastitis
Video by Learning in 10/YouTube
Mastitis
StoryMD
19:38
Mastitis: Recognition and Treatment
WSU Spokane/YouTube
2:26
Causes of Mastitis
AllHealthGo/YouTube
1:54
Mastitis & New Moms
Lee Health/YouTube
6:16
Mastitis
Learning in 10/YouTube
What Is Mastitis?
Mastitis
Image by FritziHausen/Wikimedia
Mastitis
Mastitis and spread of infection tracked by hospital staff
Image by FritziHausen/Wikimedia
Breastfeeding Challenge: Breast Infection (Mastitis)
Mastitis (mast-EYE-tiss) is soreness or a lump in the breast. It can cause symptoms such as:
Fever and/or flu-like symptoms, such as feeling run down or very achy
Nausea
Vomiting
Yellowish discharge from the nipple that looks like colostrum
Breasts that feel warm or hot to the touch and appear pink or red
A breast infection can happen when other family members have a cold or the flu. It usually happens in only one breast. It is not always easy to tell the difference between a breast infection and a plugged duct, because both have similar symptoms and can get better within 24 to 48 hours. Some breast infections that do not get better on their own need to be treated with prescription medicine from a doctor.
What you can do
Breastfeed on the infected side every two hours or more often. This will keep the milk moving freely and your breast from becoming too full.
Massage the area, starting behind the sore spot. Move your fingers in a circular motion and massage toward the nipple.
Apply heat to the sore area with a warm, wet cloth.
Rely on others to help you get extra sleep, or relax with your feet up to help speed healing. Often a breast infection is a sign that you are doing too much and becoming overly tired.
Wear a well-fitting, supportive bra that is not too tight, since a tight bra can constrict milk ducts.
Ask your doctor for help if you do not feel better within 24 hours of trying these tips, if you have a fever, or if your symptoms get worse. You might need medicine. See your doctor right away if:
You have a breast infection in which both breasts look affected
There is pus or blood in your breastmilk
You have red streaks near the affected area of the breast
Your symptoms came on severely and suddenly
Source: Office on Women's Health in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Additional Materials (10)
Mastitis in breast
Breast with mastitis
Image by JayneLut/Wikimedia
Sensitive content
This media may include sensitive content
Female Breast Revealing Mammary Tissue and Gland
Medical visualization of an anteriolateral view of healthy breast tissue. The most common type of breast cancer is infiltrating ductal carcinoma (over 70%) which begins in the lining of the ducts, followed by inflitrating lobular carcinoma (over 10%) which orginates in the lobules, medullary carcinoma, tubular carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma, and inflammatory breast cancer. Breast cancer affects approximately one in 93 women by the age of 45, and over the course of a lifetime one in eight women will be diagnosed with the disease. Early detection is critical - survival rates for those diagnosed at early stages is greater than 90 percent. Annual mammograms are recommended for women over 40, as are regular self-exams and clinical exams for all women. Women with a family history of breast cancer, especially premenopausal occurrence, as well as those who test positive for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, are at a higher lifetime risk for developing breast cancer and should start detection screening earlier. Men comprise one percent of breast cancer patients. 1 of 2.
Image by TheVisualMD
21 Mastitis
Video by Intermountain Healthcare/YouTube
Your breastfeeding questions: What is mastitis?
Video by Nestlé/YouTube
Common Breast Complications during Lactation
Video by SickKidsInteractive/YouTube
Mastitis & New Moms
Video by Lee Health/YouTube
What's the difference between a clogged milk duct and mastitis?
Video by IntermountainMoms/YouTube
Husband Nurses Away Mom’s Mastitis
Video by The Doctors/YouTube
Mastitis (Breast Infection)
Mastitis occurs in about 10% of mothers who breastfeed.
Document by publichealth.lacounty.gov
Mastitis
Mastitis is inflammation or swelling of the breast tissue that may or may not include a bacterial
infection. Mastitis can occur anytime during lactation, but usually happens in the first six weeks of
breastfeeding.
Document by Arizona Department of Health Services
Mastitis in breast
JayneLut/Wikimedia
Sensitive content
This media may include sensitive content
Female Breast Revealing Mammary Tissue and Gland
TheVisualMD
0:58
21 Mastitis
Intermountain Healthcare/YouTube
1:18
Your breastfeeding questions: What is mastitis?
Nestlé/YouTube
10:39
Common Breast Complications during Lactation
SickKidsInteractive/YouTube
1:54
Mastitis & New Moms
Lee Health/YouTube
1:56
What's the difference between a clogged milk duct and mastitis?
IntermountainMoms/YouTube
3:56
Husband Nurses Away Mom’s Mastitis
The Doctors/YouTube
Mastitis (Breast Infection)
publichealth.lacounty.gov
Mastitis
Arizona Department of Health Services
Causes
Sensitive content
This media may include sensitive content
Mother's Milk
Image by TheVisualMD
Sensitive content
This media may include sensitive content
Mother's Milk
Mother's Milk
Image by TheVisualMD
What Causes Mastitis?
Mastitis can be due to many reasons like:
a delayed or missed feeding or pumping session
when your baby does not feed well
trouble expressing breastmilk
constant pressure applied to your breast
damaged nipples
oversupply of milk
have a milk bleb or blister
rapid weaning
engorgement
Source: Arizona Department of Health Services
Additional Materials (2)
Causes of Mastitis
Video by AllHealthGo/YouTube
Mastitis
Video by Learning in 10/YouTube
2:26
Causes of Mastitis
AllHealthGo/YouTube
6:16
Mastitis
Learning in 10/YouTube
Symptoms
Mastitis
Image by FritziHausen/Wikimedia
Mastitis
Mastitis and spread of infection tracked by hospital staff
Image by FritziHausen/Wikimedia
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Mastitis?
You may have mastitis if you are having any of these symptoms:
An area in your breast that is hot or swollen
An area in your breast that is tender or painful to the touch
An area of the breast that may be pink or red
You may have a fever of 101.3F or greater
You are having chills or flu-like symptoms
You have a decrease in milk supply due to a symptom listed above
Source: Arizona Department of Health Services
Additional Materials (2)
Mastitis in breast
Breast with mastitis
Image by JayneLut/Wikimedia
Atlas of clinical surgery; with special reference to diagnosis and treatment for practitioners and students (1908) (14768289625)
Identifier: atlasofclinicals00bock (find matches)Title: Atlas of clinical surgery; with special reference to diagnosis and treatment for practitioners and studentsYear: 1908 (1900s)Authors: Bockenheimer, Ph. (Philipp), b. 1875Subjects: Surgery, OperativePublisher: New York : RebmanContributing Library: University of California LibrariesDigitizing Sponsor: Internet ArchiveView Book Page: Book ViewerAbout This Book: Catalog EntryView All Images: All Images From Book
Click here to view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.Text Appearing Before Image:reast. Theskin is tense, oedematous, reddened and often glisten-ing. The redness qviickly extends over the wholemamma and beyond it. The patients suffer from afeeling of tension in the breast, and radiating painin the arm of the affected side. There is also generalmalaise. The affection is often ushered in by rigorsand high temperature. The axillary glands may be enlarged and painful.In severe cases there is diftuse infiltration of thewhole mammary gland, which may extend into thelymphatic vessels round the breast. Abscesses formin one or more places; the superficial ones beingrecognized by fluctuation, the deeper ones by theextensive nature of the lesion. Purulent inflamma-tion of the mamma may occur in general infection;on the other hand, it may also give rise to generalinfection by thrombo-phlebitis. Differential Diagnosis. A non-bacterial in-flammation of the breast occurs in sucklings soonafter birth (mastitis neonatorum). This is a physio- 192 Bockenlieimer, Atlas. Tab. I..Will.Text Appearing After Image:Fig. 80. MasUlis puer;ieralis iiurulciita. Rcbman Coiiinnnv. Nc»-\ork. logical swelling of the gland with excretion of asecretion resembling milk. In some cases there iscircumscribed abscess formation, which soon healsafter incision. The inflammation, however, usuallysubsides under ointments and moist fomentations.Similar mastitis may occur at the age of puberty,both in boys and girls, which yields to the sametreatment and seldom leads to abscess. Pigmenta-tion of the areola remains after these cases ofmastitis. During the period of lactation, accumulation ofmilk due to stopping its outflow may cause hard in-flammatory infiltration of the breast (milk abscess)which disappears after removal of the milk by abreast pump, etc. In these cases both breastsshould be supported by a suspensory bandage. Mastitis may be caused by trauma, by suppurationin a blood eftusion caused by injury. In cases offurunculosis and diabetes mastitis may occur, withthe formation of hard, deeply situated abscessNote About Images
Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original work.
Image by Internet Archive Book Images/Wikimedia
Mastitis in breast
JayneLut/Wikimedia
Atlas of clinical surgery; with special reference to diagnosis and treatment for practitioners and students (1908) (14768289625)
Internet Archive Book Images/Wikimedia
Prevention
Breastfeeding
Image by Larissa Sampaio
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding
Image by Larissa Sampaio
How Can Mastitis Be Prevented?
Avoid long breaks between feeds or milk expression (pumping). Long breaks between feedings and expressions increase your risk of milk stasis, or buildup, which can cause mastitis.
Ensure your baby has a good latch. A good latch ensures healthy nipples. A poor latch could cause pain and damaged nipples that could lead to mastitis.
Avoid engorgement. Keep your breasts soft by feeding your baby or by expressing milk often. Don’t limit your baby’s feedings or wait until your breasts feel full to feed. You always have milk available for baby. Also, feed as long as baby wants.
Avoid plugged ducts. Plugged ducts that are not resolved can lead to mastitis.
Always check for signs of milk stasis. Check your breasts for lumps, pain, swelling, or redness. Milk stasis can lead to many issues, including mastitis.
Get rest. Fatigue plays a role in mastitis. Having a baby takes a lot of energy and your body needs rest to heal from the birth. Don’t be afraid to ask for help so that you can get the rest needed to heal.
Practice good hygiene. Hand hygiene is important for everyone, but especially mothers. Your hands can be a source of bacteria that can cause mastitis. Be sure to wash your hands and your breastfeeding equipment before breastfeeding or milk expressions.
Source: Arizona Department of Health Services
Getting Relief
Breastfeeding - Massage Breast
Image by BruceBlaus/Wikimedia
Breastfeeding - Massage Breast
Breastfeeding - Massage Breast
Image by BruceBlaus/Wikimedia
What Caused Mastitis and What I Can I Do?
If You Have Plugged Ducts or Engorgement
Increase the number of times you breastfeed or express milk. Feedings should not be limited. This will help resolve any milk stasis, or buildup, faster. Remember to ensure that the baby is latched well and your breast will be softer after the feed. For moms who are expressing milk with a breast pump, check that your pump is working properly and that your flanges fit well.
Before feeding the baby or using a breast pump, apply a warm towel to the entire breast for 10 minutes. Warmth increases blood circulation, causing more milk to flow through the milk ducts. This helps break up milk plugs. If the plugged duct area is large (larger than a dime) or swollen, use cold packs instead. This will help with swelling and improve the milk flow to dislodge any milk plugs.
Massage the breast with downward strokes towards the nipple. A massage can help milk flow and may soften the breast quicker. You can do this before or during feedings while expressing milk.
If you Have Damaged Nipples
Ensure a good deep latch. A shallow latch will cause nipple damage that can cause mastitis.
Avoid using creams, lotions, and salves on your nipple. Using topical ointments can cause tissue damage or infections.
No matter the reason, if you have mastitis, getting rest, adequate fluids and good nutrition will help you. It is important to continue to breastfeed or express milk when you have mastitis. There is no evidence of risk if your healthy term baby breastfeeds from the breast with mastitis or drinks your pumped breastmilk.
Source: Arizona Department of Health Services
Additional Materials (5)
Mastitis: What is Mastitis? How to treat it? Should continue breastfeeding? | Dr. Kristine Alba Kiat
Video by Dr. Kristine Alba Kiat - Pediatrician/YouTube
Mastitis: Recognition and Treatment - Preview
Video by WSU Spokane/YouTube
Mastitis & New Moms
Video by Lee Health/YouTube
How to Open a Plugged Duct | Breastfeeding
Video by Howcast/YouTube
Husband Nurses Away Mom’s Mastitis
Video by The Doctors/YouTube
7:05
Mastitis: What is Mastitis? How to treat it? Should continue breastfeeding? | Dr. Kristine Alba Kiat
Dr. Kristine Alba Kiat - Pediatrician/YouTube
4:31
Mastitis: Recognition and Treatment - Preview
WSU Spokane/YouTube
1:54
Mastitis & New Moms
Lee Health/YouTube
2:17
How to Open a Plugged Duct | Breastfeeding
Howcast/YouTube
3:56
Husband Nurses Away Mom’s Mastitis
The Doctors/YouTube
When to Get Help
Breastfeeding is hard. Getting mastitis makes it even harder
Image by StoryMD
Breastfeeding is hard. Getting mastitis makes it even harder
Mastitis is an inflammation or infection of the breast tissue, and it affects up to 1 out of 10 breastfeeding mamas.
Image by StoryMD
Get Help for Mastitis
Get breastfeeding help if...
Your whole breast becomes warm, or swollen, or is tender
Breastfeeding is painful
You cannot get the baby to latch on well
Call your health care provider if...
You get a temperature greater than 101.3F
You have flu-like symptoms for more than 24 hours
Your breast symptoms do not improve after 24 hours
Send this HealthJournal to your friends or across your social medias.
Mastitis
Mastitis is inflammation or swelling of the breast tissue that may or may not include a bacterial infection. Mastitis can occur anytime during lactation, but usually happens in the first six weeks of breastfeeding. Find out how to prevent and resolve mastitis, and when to seek medical help.