Expert: Sageda El-Abbasy - 5/10/2009

Question
Hi.  My dd is 10 weeks old, and I was diagnosed with Mastitis 3 days ago.  It came on as a fever with the chills, etc before I ever saw a red spot on my breast.  The redness and intense pain showed up the next morning.  I have been on antibiotics since the first night (so I have taken 7 doses <1 pill twice a day>).  I've also been taking lecithin, vitamin C, resting and hydrating.  My fever disappeared this morning (finally).
The problem I am having now is that my DD does not want to breastfeed.  It's not just the affected breast.  She doesn't want either of them.  She is obviously hungry (putting hands in mouth, yawning, sticking out her tongue, and even crying). She screams every time I try to get her to latch on. I've been pumping to try to clear my breasts, but I'm not getting much milk out.  If I'm lucky I get about 2 oz off of both breast, and I am used to getting at least 3 1/2 oz off of one breast normally if I have to pump. I am worried that she will not want to return to the breast, that my supply will go down and I won't have enough bottled milk for her, and that the mastitis will not go away or will go away but return.  I am so stressed and worried about it.  Any advice would be extremely welcome!

Answer
Hello,
I apologize for my late reply as I lost internet connection at home.
I've been diagnosed with mastitis several times so I know exactly what you're talking about.  Milk coming from the infected breast does taste different and that is why your baby is not liking it.  However it does not carry the infection so it's ok to have your baby drink it.
This used to work with me when my baby screamed as I tried to feed her from the infected breast: I used to stroke her and calm her down while putting her on my breast and have her feed from it.  You need your baby to continue feeding to have your breast continue producing a good supply of milk.  Try pumping several times in the day, not just to empty our breasts but also to have your breast produce more, and try really hard to have your baby breastfeed by calming him/her down while offering your breast.  Your baby will eventually be hungry and will eat whatever you offer.
Best of luck