How to Tell if You Have Mastitis

One of the greatest bonuses about having a new baby in the house is getting to be close to that baby, and getting to breastfeed so often. It can also be exhausting, and one of the problems that can arrive with the wonder of breastfeeding is the pain of mastitis. Mastitis is an infection of the breast. Usually a milk duct gets clogged and milk becomes engorged in the affected breast. It will become painful to nurse. A new mom might consider giving up breastfeeding if she is experiencing mastitis, but if she can get through the initial pain, it's best for both mom and baby (and breast) if nursing continues right through the infection.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Take your temperature. Symptoms of mastitis are a fever, accompanied by chills. Sometimes your whole body will ache and you'll feel like you have the flu.
2. Feel your breast to see if it is engorged, even after the baby is finished nursing. The breast will feel hard and uncomfortable, like it's still full of milk.
3. Feel the temperature of your breast. Is the breast hot to touch? And check in a mirror at the color of the skin on the breast. Is the skin red, or streaked red in one area? Especially check a mirror if you can't see underneath the breast.
4. See how you feel when the baby nurses. When the baby goes to latch on, there will be some pain while he nurses.
5. A combination of any of these symptoms signals mastitis. You should contact your doctor who will want to see you, and may prescribe antibiotics. You should continue nursing your baby on both breasts to keep milk flowing. Your baby will be fine -- the baby can't get the infection -- the germ probably came from the baby's mouth anyway.