HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Mastitis (inflamed breasts)
Mate ū
Mastitis (inflamed breasts) happens when you are breastfeeding if parts of your breast become swollen.
This causes the ducts to become narrower, which slows the flow of milk. An area of your breast can then become inflamed, red and painful.
Sometimes this inflamed area can become infected with bugs (bacteria). This needs to be treated with antibiotics.
Important
If you feel any hard, red, painful areas in your breast, see your general practice team or midwife as soon as you can. This could be a breast abscess.
Preventing mastitis
Follow the cues or signs from your pēpi (baby) that they are ready to breastfeed, and do not miss feeds or cut them short. This helps to balance the amount of milk your breasts produce with the amount of milk your baby needs.
Signs that they are ready to feed can be nuzzling, hand-sucking or mouthing (where they open their mouth and turn their head). Crying is usually the last cue for feeding. It may be difficult to get your pēpi to latch properly if they are crying.
Make sure your pēpi is latching at your breast correctly.
If you need help with breastfeeding or are producing too much milk, talk to your midwife, Well Child nurse or general practice team. You may be referred to a lactation consultant. You can also choose to pay to see a lactation consultant or breastfeeding doctor privately.
Symptoms of mastitis
Symptoms can include:
- breast pain
- a tender, hot, swollen area in one or both breasts
- redness and uncomfortable breasts
- fever, chills, a headache or feeling like you are getting the flu.
Self-care for mastitis
If you have mastitis, there are several things you can do.
- Keep feeding your pēpi as normal. If you are expressing to feed your baby, only pump what your baby needs. You do not need to try to empty the breast.
- Take pain relief such as paracetamol and anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen.
- Apply an ice pack to your breast for 10 minutes every 30 minutes between feeding. This can reduce pain and inflammation. Avoid heat as this can make inflammation worse.
- Try gently stroking your breast using a light touch, with a pressure similar to what you would use to stroke a cat. Stroke your breast from your nipple to your armpit and collarbone. You can do this as often as you like, and especially before breastfeeding or pumping. This video shows how it is done. Massaging your breast is not helpful and can make inflammation worse.
Getting help with mastitis
If you are not feeling better within 24 hours, if you have a fever (higher than 38.5°C) or have a hard, red, painful lump in your breast, see your midwife or general practice team.
They may give you antibiotics if you have developed an infection.
If you have a breast abscess, this may need to be opened up (drained).
HealthInfo recommends the following apps
- BreastFedNZ
Simple, "in the moment" advice to help women breastfeed.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed May 2024.
Sources
See also:
Review key: HIBRF-24381
