So it all started Sunday night. I wasn’t feeling the best and had a headache and it hurt to nurse on my right side. I didn’t think much of it. Monday I was feeling pretty crappy but wasn’t sure why. I just had a pounding headache, a fever and a sore breast. All classic signs of mastitis. I was in denial and hoping it would just go away and not be mastitis. Monday night my fever was 101.5 and my headache was miserable. My breast hurt all the way up into my armpit and I knew that I had mastitis. I was hoping to avoid going to the doctor because we were supposed to have dentist appointments today and a much needed haircut as well. I caved when my fever started up again and I couldn’t take anymore. I had a 101.5 fever and was shivering under three blankets. I called my doctor and they got me in right away thankfully. I had to cancel the dentist but this was more important. So I went to my doctor and got my antibiotics so now I should be feeling better in a couple of days. I’m hoping they kick in sooner than later! So forgive me if the blog is slacking!!
Mastitis is no fun, but if you ever think you have it, don’t wait to go to your doctor! I’ve heard horror stories of how terrible it can get. My own sister waited when she had it and ended up in the hospital for four days. It was her urging that pushed me to call the doctor. I’ve also heard horrible stories of the doctor having to lance the breast and let it heal open. Ahhhh that makes me hurt! Can you imagine? Terrible! Anyway, here are the symptoms for you nursing mamas:
Fever-my fever also came and went which made me think I was getting better when I wasn’t
Pain in one breast that can radiate up the arm and hurt when you move your arm
I had a headache which is probably related to the fever
Red Streak on your breast
Lump in your breast
Even though it hurts like crazy to nurse you need to keep nursing! It also helps to wear a looser fitting bra and massage the breast if you feel like you are getting a clogged duct.
So I thought I would also let you know that out of all of the thermometers I have reviewed the one I have been using during all of this to monitor my temp is the Vicks Thermometer. I’ve been using it orally and feel it is the most reliable because there is no technical aspect to worry about when you take the temp. You just need to make sure you haven’t drank anything before taking it. It also happens to be one of the most inexpensive ones at less than $10. You can also use it on your baby either rectally or orally. It also flashes green, yellow or red to tell you what range your temp is in (and if it is a mild fever or a high fever). I just wanted to share that because you don’t need to spend a pretty penny on a thermometer if you don’t want to. The least expensive ones can be just as good or better! I like that it works for infants all the way to adults. Now I should say I wasn’t paid to write this and I already did the review for the product awhile back. I’m simply writing this on my own to share my thoughts and let you know. I’m also relying on my new Bravado sleep bra which is part of their new line in Target stores. That review will be coming soon. The last thing I’m using that I’ve reviewed in the past and shared with you are the Florastor Probiotics. Since I am on antibiotics I want to avoid antibiotic associated diarrhea as well as try to avoid the chances of Aiden getting thrush from my antibiotics in the milk. So like I said I wasn’t asked to write this, I just wanted to share my favorite things I’ve reviewed that helped me through this.
Hopefully I’ll be feeling better soon! Thanks for listening to me 
So sorry you have mastitis
It really hurts! I just got it again last week (the 11th time!!) and I'm still sore.
Hope you are feeling better soon!
Please let me share this tip, Lots of experience.
raw potatoe, I cut mine put in food chopper and used like a paste. 30min to 1hr @ 3times a day until better.
it will stain what it touches so you don't want to ruin nice clothes. Feel better soon
The Wish Garden Happy Ducts remedy was a life saver for me. http://www.wishgardenherbs.com/index.php?load=pregnancy&page=index&group_id=7
I totally understand and hope you feel better soon.
Hope you are feeling better soon. Take it easy and rest. Hugs
Sounds painful. I've never had it (knock on wood), but I've heard it can be terrible. Thanks for the post and listing the symptoms…it's good to know what to look for.
Jenna
Another little tip is hot packs and switch positions when feeding a lot! Helped me with blocked ducts before. Hope you feel better soon mastitis bites.
I hope you feel better soon but thanks for the info. I'm having my baby soon and didn't know much/enough about the infections you can get!
I hope everything heals quickly for you. I've heard how painful this can be and hate you hear you're going thru it.
Oh I hope you get to feeling better soon. With my daughter it got so bad that I had to go into the hospital and was there for about a week and had to have the drain tub out the breast in order for it to heal. It was terrible. When I noticed first signs of it with my son I rushed to the doctor. I never wanted to experience what I did with my daughter again.
I'll pray it clears quickly and you feel better quickly.
Oh Sarah, mastitis is just horrible. I had it five times with my first. I didn't even get it for the first 5 months of his life. I blame the first infection on carrying him incorrectly (I guess) in a sling while grocery shopping. It is the only thing I did differently, and the clogged duct was right where he was pressing against me.
I second the heat packs just before feeds and also recommend massaging the breast while breastfeeding. Oh and the thing that will really help? REST! All your blog followers will understand. I could barely think straight in the early stages of a mastitis infection so I am amazed your post was so coherent!
I hope you feel better soon!
Anna
Bless your heart! I had really bad issues with plugged ducts for several weeks when I started nursing. I was worried it would turn into mastitis. Plugged ducts alone are so painful, I can only imagine what you are going through.
I believe I heard lack of rest will cause them….so rest up and let your blog slack because you need to get better!!
Arggg. Terrible, terrible, terrible. I dont think I have ever been as sick as the first time I had mastitus. A miserable pain and sickness!
After my 2nd episod before my daughter was 2 months old, my family doctor recomended Vinegar. Since Mastitus is a bacterial infection, the key is to neutralize the bacteria before it gets inside. I put 1/2 vinegar 1/2 water in the Peri bottle I got from the hospital and wiped myself with the solution on a cotton ball before and after every feeding. Since it is vinegar it was safe for baby – I smelled like vinegar, but hey…
It worked for me, no more mastitus and I nursed for 13 months! So, I will start that from the start with baby 2!
Good luck and get some rest!
you poor thing…sending you good energy!
Angie
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