Help! Natural remedies for mastitis!

[little_O]

Had aches all over yesterday and sore right breast. Over night I had the chills and fever. Now it's the left breast.
Went to the gp today and she has prescribed antibiotics if I need them, but I really don't want to take them at the risk of having others issues from them. She said its only mild mastitis, to massage the tender bits as I feed and express any left overs.
I am also trying the cabbage leaves. Do I put them over the whole breast though or just the inflamed areas?
What else can I try??

Also would my bras cause it? It seems to run where they sit?

Thanks

[Barb Glare]

Hi,

Most times mastitis isn't an infection - but a "stasis" - that is that the milk isn't being released from the breast. In the early days most mums experience a relative over supply of milk. This settles down over a few weeks. Remember, whenever the breast is uncomfortably full, get that milk moving. Pick up your baby and give it a feed or express some milk until your breast is soft and comfortable. Often, even if you are at the stage of having flu like symptoms, emptying the breast will be enough to relieve the symptoms. Put an icepack on the affected breast and take some milk analgaesic like nurofen (good because it's an anti-inflammatory) or panadol. And rest. Pretty soon most mums get good at picking up the early signs and get onto it early, avoiding a full blown case of mastitis

[Kmn]

If you can feel a specific area that is "blocked" then ultrasound treatment from a physiotherapist is very good for unblocking as well. Good luck!