What is mastitis in breastfeeding?

Mastitis is infection of the breast tissue due to bacteria that penetrate through the cracks and ducts of the nipple that can occur during breastfeeding. This infection causes inflammation and pain and is one of the main reasons why mothers stop breastfeeding their babies . Mastitis is also called a

Mastitis is infection of the breast tissue due to bacteria that penetrate through the cracks and ducts of the nipple that can occur during breastfeeding. This infection causes inflammation and pain and is one of the main reasons why mothers stop breastfeeding their babies. Mastitis is also called abscess, infection or inflammation of the breast.

What is mastitis and what are its symptoms

Mastitis is because the small cracks that can occur with breastfeeding allow bacteria to penetrate the breast producing an infection and obstruction in the breast ducts. This also causes inflammation, severe pain in the chest and a sensation of heat in the affected area.

The most obvious symptom of mastitis is inflammation and pain, but it can also increase breast size and the nipple may secrete pus. Mastitis is a complication of breastfeeding that can also cause an increase in nipple sensitivity, fever, malaise, headache and nausea.

Prevention and treatment of mastitis

The main way to avoid this discomfort during breastfeeding is to perform a complete emptying of the breasts in each shot and have a good practice at the time of breastfeeding. Also, if you have cracks, you have to take care of them early to prevent them from becoming infected. Remember that prevention in this complication of breastfeeding is very important since mastitis is a very painful and uncomfortable process.

You can apply heat using cloths several times a day, use a breast pump to extract excess milk and take good care of hygiene in the breast during the duration of the infection. If you have a fever, go to the office for treatment. Most likely, they will prescribe antibiotics or even, in more complicated cases, it is necessary to make an incision and drain the contents of the breast. Only in this last case, it would be advisable to suspend the breastfeeding, however, in all the previous cases the doctor will recommend you to continue without any problem giving the breast to the baby.

Mastitis is a complication of breastfeeding that occurs especially in the days after childbirth. This discomfort can be contracted more than once and usually occurs mainly in one of the breasts.