DS is almost 11 months & I've had 8 bouts of mastitis in that time. My GP is strongly encouraging me to wean. I have decided to cut out the mid-day feed, so we will just have two feeds (morning & night) & I'm hoping that my supply will drop enough to help with the mastitis.
But I feel really sad about weaning... I don't feel ready! I keep telling myself that dropping this feed might help me to keep feeding him for longer (because I'm not going to be able to get much past 12 months if I am getting mastitis every month!!). But I still feel sad about losing that connection with DS. It's so hard, because I really want to BF him for as long as possible - but I also don't want to keep getting sick!
That's lots of mastitis and pain to deal with you poor thing I've had it once and it was the most agonising, horrid thing...I can't imagine having it 8 times in a year.
You may well find that cutting down a feed will still mean that you can continue to breastfeed. Your babe is nearly one, they are surprisingly adaptable. He will most likely just keep going, your supply is well established now and if your little man continues to feed daily there is no reason that won't continue.
My little man is two and he never has big long feeds anymore...but he still feeds a few times in 24 hours and I still have milk. And he feeds for comfort too...I think we sometimes forget that babes get so much more from nursing than nutritional sustenance...that's why they'll continue even when there is little milk there. Hugs to you though it's absolutely heartbreaking to feel that the choice is being taken out of your hands.
Often you will fall prey to mastitis if you are run down.
How is your diet, are you taking any breastfeeding supplements, iron, anything to help boost your immune system?
Do you think you drink enough water?
Are you getting enough rest, and enough support generally?
How do you usually respond when you realise you are getting mastitis? I've had it a few times, and now I religiously keep the homoeopathic phytolacca in the cupboard as the first line of defence, I massage any lumps for hours to try to clear them, feed feed feed feed.
I think perhaps if you look at your general health first and if that may be contributing, then really work on getting that tip top, you may find that the mastitis actually stops being a problem, and weaning isn't necessary at all.
I was very run down when I had my series of bouts, I think I got it about 4 times in the space of about 4 months or so, and when I got my health under control, I stopped getting it.
All the best
PS GP's are not experts on breastfeeding, I'd get some other opinions, maybe chat to the ABA, or an LC, the other place to find loads of great breastfeeding info is kellymom :: Breastfeeding and Parenting just search 'mastitis' and you will be amazed at the info you get
I've tried lots of stuff for the mastitis - see this thread. I did see a LC early on (at my 2nd bout). Have already spoken to ABA, who talked me through the weaning process (although I tried to drop a feed yesterday & have got a lump already!!)
I think I'm just really prone to it - there is one duct in particular that often gets blocked
Might be time to call the LC again I suppose to see where to go from here. I just feel so sad and frustrated
You have had a tough time with the mastistis. but I find your doctor's advice curious. If it were another part of your body what would he say "sorry, can't find why your foot is frequently infected - just stop using it". That doesn't seem good enough. Surely he would do more tests, or refer you to some-one much more knowledgeable. And what happens when you have another baby?
Your baby is much too young to wean. And it sounds like, even through the mastitis, you don't want to either. With my first child I had frequent, recurring bouts of mastitis. With my others, rarely. In hindsight, I was back at paid work - which meant that my breasts became uncomfortably full and I tried to avoid night feeds. Co-sleeping and feeding according to need worked better. Everyone will have a different set of circumstances, obviously, to unlocking what is causing their symptoms.
Good luck with the process - my opinion - keep feeding
Regards
Barb
I am weaning atm and i know your pain. It is am emotional time for me. If you are able to find a way to work through the mastitis issues I would be trying... Get onto that LC and see if you can find an answer... Good luck.
Feeling sad about weaning :(
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I've had it once and it was the most agonising, horrid thing...I can't imagine having it 8 times in a year.
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