How to Treat Mastitis Without Antibiotics

However you choose to deal with it, a breast infection is definitely a pain. The affected breast may be hot, swollen, lumpy and red, and will almost certainly be painful. When many women get a breast infection, their first inclination is to get to a doctor as soon as possible. However, it is often possible to treat mastitis without antibiotics at home. You may even see results just as fast this way and with any luck you will be feeling much better by the next day.

Things You'll Need

• Hot compress
• Herbal and vitamin supplements
• Potato

Instructions

1. Get plenty of rest. If at all possible, take the day off from work (including housework) and cancel any other obligations. See if you can get some help with your baby or at least commit to trying to stay off your feet as much as possible and sleep when the baby sleeps.

2. Drink lots of water, many glasses throughout the day. Drink more water than you feel like drinking.

3. Nurse as much as possible, while massaging any unusual lumpy areas of the breast. Nursing will probably be much more painful than usual, but it's also unusually important to keep up with, since this keeps the breast flushed and reduces swelling. If your baby isn't available, express breast milk manually or with a pump.

4. Take immune boosting supplements. Every two to three hours, take a small dose of vitamin C and some echinacea tincture if you have it. If you have a fever, elderberry syrup may also be helpful.

5. Use heat, especially before nursing. Take a hot bath if you can, or use a heating pad or hot water bottle on the affected area. You can easily improvise a hot compress by filling a long sock with rice, tying off the end, and microwaving it for a minute or so as needed.

6. Make a potato compress. Wear an old bra and stuff grated potato around the affected breast. It may feel cold and weird at first, but it also helps reduce swelling and heat. Leave on for about twenty minutes, then repeat as often as you like.

7. Keep using these therapies until you feel entirely better, or even for another day or so to make sure the infection is completely gone.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use different immune boosting supplements if you prefer. Some other options include zinc, raw garlic and fresh ginger tea.

• If you don't see any improvement after a day or so, or if for any reason you feel that your case of mastitis is especially dangerous or complicated, go ahead and see a doctor as soon as possible.