How to determine mastitis in a nursing mother. Photo gallery: medications for the treatment of lactation mastitis

Some women confuse the concepts of mastitis and mastopathy, not understanding what the difference is. Mastitis can occur at any time during lactation or even outside of it. This is inflammation of the breast tissue with a clear clinical picture. Mastopathy is cystic and hyperplastic changes that develop under the influence of hormonal disorders. In this case, the woman may not be bothered by anything.

Causes

Mastitis is inflammation of the breast tissue. According to ICD-10, it is encrypted under code N 61. It occurs when two conditions are combined: stagnation of milk and the presence of pathogenic microorganisms. By breaking this “chain” you can increase the chances of favorable outcome condition. Most often, lactation mastitis develops during the following periods:

on the fourth to seventh day after birth– at this time, instead of colostrum, milk “arrives”; time is needed to regulate its quantity to suit the baby’s needs;
when introducing complementary foods– at this point the child’s needs for breast milk decrease, breaks between applications increase, which provokes stagnation;
at the end of lactation– if you suddenly try to stop breastfeeding, there is a chance of developing mastitis.

Against the background of stagnation of milk, active reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms begins. Tissue swelling occurs, which compresses the milk ducts and aggravates the situation. If milk flow is not established in time, surgical intervention cannot be avoided.

Why does lactostasis develop?

Lactostasis is stagnation of milk in lobules. Every woman encounters it during breastfeeding to varying degrees. Lactostasis occurs due to increased milk production or a decrease in milk consumption by the child. The following reasons predispose to this:

pumping - feeding on demand is recommended, but some women still adhere to strict time intervals;
single breast feeding– each feeding should begin with a “new” breast, this way both mammary glands can be emptied evenly;
shallow sucking– sometimes babies are “lazy” and suck milk only until they need to be applied special effort, and hind milk remains untouched and can stagnate;
incorrect application– it is useful to change positions when feeding in order to empty all lobules equally;
wrong underwear– during lactation, preference should be given to underwear made from natural fabrics; it should not pinch or squeeze;
surgical interventions– if operations have ever been performed on the mammary glands (for example, fibroadenoma was removed, there was already mastitis), the likelihood of obstruction of the ducts is higher.

"Gate of Infection"

Pathogenic microorganisms enter the place of milk stagnation as follows:

through nipple cracks– if applied incorrectly or if the child already has teeth (biting), wounds appear through which pathogenic microorganisms can penetrate;
from foci of infection– sluggish chronic infection (for example, caries, pyelonephritis, sinusitis) or acute (cystitis, colitis, tonsillitis) easily penetrates the mammary glands with the flow of lymph or blood.

The main role in the occurrence of mastitis is played by staphylococci, streptococci, coli.

Symptoms of mastitis in a nursing mother by stage

Symptoms of mastitis in a nursing mother begin with signs of milk stagnation. Almost every woman has to deal with them, but not everyone realizes the danger of the situation and the need to resolve the problem. Lactostasis has the following manifestations:

body temperature is normal;
the mammary gland is full of milk;
local pain may be detected;
sometimes a tuberosity and compaction are palpated - a filled lobule;
milk flow is not disturbed, the baby happily takes the breast.

A woman notices an improvement in her condition after feeding or pumping. As the situation worsens, signs of mastitis appear in the nursing mother. The clinical picture largely depends on the stage. Information about this is detailed in the table.

Table - How mastitis manifests itself in a nursing mother by stages

Stage	Symptoms
Tissue infiltration – serous mastitis	- Body temperature rises; - clearly defined painful lump; - the skin over it is red and hot when palpated; - axillary muscles may become enlarged The lymph nodes; - the child sometimes refuses the sore breast; - a woman can express milk on her own, but the procedure is painful
Purulent stage	- Fever and symptoms of intoxication occur - weakness, lethargy, dizziness; - the mammary gland is red, veins are clearly visible; - the breast may swell, it becomes larger than the other; - the focus of milk stagnation is no longer so clearly visible due to its general stagnation; - purulent discharge may appear from the nipple; - expressing is extremely painful and it is impossible to express on your own, the baby refuses to take this breast
Abscess formation	- A woman notices throbbing pain in a specific area; - severe fever; - swelling, redness of tissues; - upon palpation, a softened area is detected among dense tissues if the abscess is close to the skin
Cellulitis and gangrene of the chest	- The woman’s condition deteriorates sharply, sometimes she becomes delirious; - the mammary gland is sharply swollen and cyanotic; - sometimes vein thrombosis develops; - not only breast tissue, but also muscles are involved in the inflammatory process chest, subcutaneous fatty tissue; - dark areas of skin appear - zones of necrosis

Phlegmonous and gangrenous mastitis are rare. Sometimes treatment requires amputation of the breast. These conditions pose a threat to a woman's life.

During breastfeeding, it is informative to measure the temperature in the elbow. IN armpit it will always be slightly higher due to the arrival of milk, which gives an incorrect clinical picture and is needlessly alarming.

Classification

Depending on the course of the disease, acute and chronic recurrent forms are distinguished. In the latter case, mastitis is associated with incomplete sanitation of the source of infection.

According to generally accepted ideas, inflammation of the mammary gland is possible only with breastfeeding. However, there is non-lactation mastitis in women. It can occur at any age and is most often associated with chronic infection in gland tissues. Classification depending on the location and area of the lesion:

subareolar – inflammation immediately under the areola and nipple;
intramammary – lesion deep inside the mammary gland;
retromammary - formation of a lesion in front of the pectoral muscles;
total defeat– if several areas are captured;
accessory lobule mastitis– they are located in the armpits and occur in 10-15% of women, the clinical picture is normal, but pain, redness and other symptoms are concentrated in the armpits.

What to do

In the initial stages of mastitis and with lactostasis (in this case there is no temperature), you can try to cope with the situation on your own. But if there is no confidence or sufficient knowledge, it is better to use the services of midwives or a doctor.
General recommendations on how to cure mastitis while breastfeeding, the following:

express or feed– to eliminate stagnation, it is necessary to evacuate milk; if the baby refuses to suckle, you should express yourself or use a breast pump;
take a warm shower– water will help a woman relax mentally, and warm water relieves spasm of the ducts;
drink antispasmodics– without fear, you can take “No-shpa”, “Papaverine”, this will help improve the flow of milk.

The following should not be done:

cause severe pain by pumping;
take pills to suppress lactation on your own;
warm up at obvious signs inflammation;
feed a child with purulent discharge.

Rubbing the seals with ice cubes helps a lot when milk stagnates. This must be done carefully, without injuring the tissue, but by massaging areas with stagnation. Cold will help relieve swelling and pain, after which it will be easier to express or feed.

Drug treatment

If the temperature rises persistently above 37.5-38 °C during the day, it is necessary to start taking serious medicines. Only a doctor prescribes them, self-administration may harm the baby. The following drugs are used in treatment regimens.

Antibiotics. While taking some, you are allowed to continue breastfeeding (Cefazolin, Cefotaxime, Amoclav, Azithromycin), while others will have to temporarily express (Metronidazole, Clarithromycin). The regimen and dose of antibiotics for mastitis for a nursing mother is determined by the doctor.
Antipyretic. All drugs in this group pass into milk. Ibuprofen is considered the most effective and safe for children.
Antispasmodics. “Drotaverine”, “Papaverine” will help reduce tissue swelling, relieve pain and improve the flow of milk through the lobules and ducts.
Oxytocin. Its natural release occurs when the nipples are irritated. For mastitis in a hospital setting, the drug can be administered intramuscularly or intravenously, stimulating the contraction of the ducts and facilitating the emptying of the lobules.
Suppression of lactation. IN extreme cases, and also after surgical treatment Medicines may be prescribed to reduce milk production. This is Parlodel, Dostinex.

Traditional methods

Folk remedies can be used effectively together with the main treatment. The most popular ones include the following.

Cabbage leaf. It is better to slightly treat the leaf with boiling water, then cool it and apply it to the problem area overnight.
Baking soda . A small amount should be mixed with water until pasty. Place on gauze and make a compress overnight.
Alder or mint. Grind the dried leaves and soak them in water. Apply as a compress to your chest for several hours.
. Fresh leaves pour boiling water over it and apply to the seal areas, preferably overnight.

Operations

If in the background conservative treatment there is no positive dynamics or signs of abscessation of the lobe of the mammary gland appear, it is necessary surgery. To select the most suitable method On the eve of the intervention, an ultrasound scan of the mammary glands is required.
Typically, radial incisions are made to open the abscess, not reaching the areolar area. Drains are installed in them to actively remove purulent contents. It is possible to dissect the tissue in the fold under the mammary gland (if the abscess is located retromammary) or around the nipple if it is superficial.

For 10 days or more is necessary regular rinsing wounds, intensive antibacterial therapy is also carried out. If necessary, additional ointments are used - Vishnevsky, "Levomekol". In some cases, lactation must be completed completely if milk production supports inflammation.

Complications

Ignoring stagnation of milk or untimely treatment may result not only in opening and draining abscesses, but even in removing the breast. Therefore, if complaints arise, it is better to contact medical care. The consequences of surgical treatment in the future for a woman are as follows:

a scar forms on the skin;
the risk of future cancer increases due to tissue trauma;
fistulas may form.

Women after any breast surgery should undergo regular medical examination– Ultrasound of the mammary glands and mammography after 45 years.

How to prevent illness

Prevention of mastitis during breastfeeding includes following the following recommendations.

Correct application. IN postpartum period You need to learn how to put your baby to your breast. At the same time, it should capture not only the nipple, but also most of the areola. It is useful to change positions when feeding - sitting, standing, lying, right or left.
Treatment of cracked nipples. If cracks do form, it is necessary to monitor breast hygiene and additionally lubricate with Bepanten after feeding.
Comfortable underwear. You should choose special breastfeeding bustiers that have comfortable clasps.
Self-massage. Before feeding, it is useful to carry out light massaging movements from the base of the mammary gland to the nipple.
Feeding on demand. It is recommended to put the baby to the breast every time there is anxiety and crying, before and after sleep. This could be every half hour, and sometimes there will be a break of three to four hours.
Maintaining hygiene. The mammary glands should be washed once or twice a day.
Prevention of injuries. The chest should be protected from compression, blows, and damage that the baby may inadvertently inflict. During sleep you need to choose comfortable position on the side or back so as not to injure the mammary glands.

Causes lactation mastitis are hidden in the stagnation of milk and the active reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms in this focus. You can diagnose the disease at home by the characteristic clinical picture mastitis. If there is no effect from the self-treatment you should consult a doctor immediately to avoid serious consequences and, if possible, surgery. Reviews from women confirm that even after suffering from mastitis, lactation can be maintained.

Reviews: “Don’t joke with this!”

Hello! I haven’t fed for 8 months now, my baby is 1.8. For half a year I fed on demand, there were no problems with the breasts. When I started giving complementary foods, literally drop by drop, stagnation began. The suckling seemed to be normal, the breast did not feel full, after a couple of hours the temperature was 37.5. At first I couldn’t understand anything, I actively pumped, and it went away the next day. This happened 3 times, the last time it rose to 38, ran to a consultation, they prescribed physio, it went away. So nothing helps better than physio)
Rat, https://deti.mail.ru/id1002848092/

Oh girls, I don’t know what form of mastitis I had, but it was terrible! There was a lot of milk, but I didn’t express it because my son sucked every drop (on demand). When my son turned 1 month old, my chest suddenly began to hurt. It was impossible to even raise my arm on that side, the pain was hellish. The temperature rose sharply - 39.3, there was a chill, a fever, my chest was stone, I couldn’t touch it, green milk was seeping out. Well, my mom is a walking encyclopedia, she was sleeping and I’ll fight to treat. I drank paracetamol (we were advised in the ambulance), and made compresses from starch and sunflower oil and expressed myself every two hours. My torment lasted 4 days and everything went away. The main thing is to believe! Now my son is 6 months old, he weighs 10300
Olga Semchenko, https://deti.mail.ru/id1007077110/

I did not take antibiotics, at my own peril and risk. Thank God, everything worked out. I put gauze soaked in furacillin alcohol on my chest (they generally recommended vodka, but there wasn’t any in the house at the time), with a cabbage leaf on top. And I pumped continuously for a day or two. But I want to tell you - the effectiveness of a child in terms of eliminating milk from the breast is much superior to pumping. Sashka saved me. I applied it to my sore breast more often than usual. When the temperature returned to normal, antenatal clinic I did it - I don’t know exactly what it’s called - in general, ultrasound softens the lumps in the breast and makes it easier to express milk. But at high temperatures this seems to be impossible. There is only one “but”. I am a completely far from medicine person and I could very well be wrong, but if purulent mastitis has developed, then antibiotics are needed, and I have great doubts about the possibility of feeding the child.
Zhenya Shushkova, http://www.komarovskiy.net/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=214&sid=0a7f9d36dbb9c35dbefdacb391267f37

In the first week of feeding, one of my breasts also became hard, became red, and my temperature rose. Besides pumping, ice helped me VERY well. In the freezer I froze ice in the form of cubes (then put it in a bag) or just bottled water. After each feeding, she pumped, then simply massaged, rubbed the tubercles and kept ice on the sore breast for 15 minutes (not directly on the body, through a T-shirt or gauze). When my midwife recommended this to me, I was honestly perplexed by how it was possible to put ice on my chest. Everywhere they write that you shouldn’t let your breasts get cold. It's okay, even when you hold it, it becomes easier. After the ice, I applied cabbage or a compress of cottage cheese (in gauze, and a plastic bag on top so that the clothes did not get wet) - but this is not very convenient, because... constantly subsides, you have to lie down. I didn't take any pills.
Svetik_and_Dimuljka, http://www.komarovskiy.net/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=15&sid=0a7f9d36dbb9c35dbefdacb391267f37

I had mastitis when I was three months old. I flew out onto the balcony in early December to take off my underwear. I took it off, it’s called. The next day they took me to the ambulance with a temperature of 40. The doctor said that in another day the operation could not be avoided! Don't joke about it. They injected me with antibiotics, did UHF and much more. Fortunately, my daughter was lying with me. I fed her almost every hour and always started with a sore breast. Compresses are good only when milk stagnation and when the ducts are clogged. Then cabbage and honey. Stop feeding only if purulent discharge. Apply to the breast as often as possible, and in different positions. If your husband is nearby, let him help.
Tit, https://mnogodetok.ru/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=2050&sid=0facaae7d4f9ea84e6103784a9dca8a9

Mastitis in a nursing mother is a common problem, which is characterized by stagnation of milk in the breast and the development of an inflammatory process. main reason disease - the entry of a pathogenic microorganism into the milk ducts. It provokes illness and impaired milk flow. Develops mainly in the first 3 months after birth or during the period of cessation of breastfeeding. Lack of treatment threatens the development of complications - the formation of a purulent abscess.

Causes

A common cause of mastitis during lactation is infection with Staphylococcus aureus. Less commonly, pathology is caused by streptococcus, fungi and E. coli. The infection enters the milk ducts through the blood or lymph flow if there is an inflammatory focus in the body (dental caries, sore throat, sinusitis, cystitis, tonsillitis, etc.). Pathogenic microorganisms can also enter from external environment. Often, mastitis covers a large area of the breast (several lobes), which is due to active blood flow and the rapid spread of infection.

The presence of cracks in the chest and non-compliance with personal hygiene rules increases the risk of developing pathology. Often the cause of mastitis is lactostasis: the mammary glands produce large quantity milk than the baby needs, which provokes stagnation.

The pathology develops mainly in primiparous women. This is due to the fact that the breasts and milk ducts are not sufficiently prepared for lactation.

The risk of developing lactation mastitis is increased by a history of mastopathy, cystic and tumor formations in the mammary glands, hypothermia and reduced immunity. The provoking factor is the lack good rest at the mother's frequent stress, emotional distress and fatigue.

Stages

Mastitis goes through four stages.

Serous (uninfected mastitis) is characterized by an exacerbation of signs of lactostasis, but there is no infection.
Infiltration occurs after 2 days and proceeds with the formation of compactions that can reach 3 cm in diameter.
Purulent is manifested by active reproduction of the infection. Suppuration of infiltrates causes severe intoxication, an increase in local and general temperature, as well as a deterioration in the woman’s well-being.
Abscess is characterized by the formation purulent cavities in the chest.

Symptoms

The clinical picture of the pathology depends on its stage. The first symptoms of mastitis in a nursing mother: decreased lactation, breast pain that does not go away after pumping, and redness skin. An increase in temperature to 38 ⁰C is observed. In this case, the readings in the armpit of the affected breast will be 1–2 degrees higher.

During the infiltrated stage, symptoms increase. A woman is worried about muscle pain, heat, which reaches 39 ⁰С, and chills. Local lymph nodes (in the armpit area) become inflamed and painful. Pain and heaviness appear in the chest, lumps are felt. Lactation is disrupted, milk flow deteriorates during feeding or pumping.

Mastitis in purulent stage manifested by severe tissue swelling, redness (less often blue discoloration) of the skin and severe chest pain. The temperature reaches 40 ⁰С, severe feverish state, extreme thirst And increased sweating. An admixture of pus is noticeable in expressed milk, so often the child completely refuses to feed and behaves capriciously at the breast.

Diagnostics

At warning signs You should consult a mammologist. To diagnose pathology, the doctor collects anamnesis and performs visual inspection mammary glands. Get full picture will help laboratory tests. In the general blood test there are increased ESR and a higher than normal level of leukocytes. To determine the causative agent of the infection, milk is taken for culture. Accurate establishment of the etiology of the disease will allow choosing effective treatment.

An ultrasound scan of the mammary glands is required, which makes it possible to establish the localization of purulent cavities.

Treatment

The choice of treatment for mastitis depends on the stage of the pathology. It is important to remember that self-medication of lactation mastitis can lead to the development of a number of complications that are dangerous to the health of the mother and child. Applicable traditional methods(a compress with honey or cabbage leaves) often does not cure the disease, but only brings short-term relief. If a woman consults a doctor on time, treatment is carried out conservative methods, the beneficial effect is achieved quickly enough and complications practically do not arise.

Drug therapy includes taking medications that will alleviate the condition of the nursing mother and will not cause negative reaction at the baby's. To normalize the temperature, Paracetamol, Nurofen or Ibuprofen are indicated. Eliminate painful sensations No-Shpa or Drotaverine will help. If a woman has stopped feeding during treatment, stronger painkillers (Analgin, Spazmalgon, Baralgin, etc.) can be used. Intravenous or intramuscular injection Oxytocin.

If there are cracks in the nipples, they should be treated with Bepanten or Perulan. It is important to follow the rules of hygiene, wear comfortable underwear made from natural materials and avoid squeezing and hypothermia of the mammary glands.

In severe cases of mastitis, antibacterial therapy is used (Amoxiclav, Cephalexin and Ciprofloxacin). At the same time, antibiotics penicillin series do not give the desired effect. The course of treatment is 10 days. As a rule, feeding stops during this period, and to maintain lactation, milk should be expressed with a breast pump or by hand. The period of restriction depends on the antibiotics used and the rate at which they are eliminated from the body. This will prevent the medicine from entering the child’s body and prevent the development of a possible allergic or other negative reaction. Sometimes antibiotics are used that are safe for the baby, so it is not necessary to interrupt lactation during treatment.

Alcohol or heat compresses, hot baths and showers are strictly prohibited. This will worsen the situation and cause increased swelling. In addition, more active blood flow under the influence of thermal procedures will provoke the spread of infection throughout the body.

To alleviate the patient’s condition and improve milk flow, every two hours light massage mammary gland. A specialist or a woman can carry out the procedure independently. During it, you should not use force or excessively squeeze your chest. At the serous stage, physiotherapeutic procedures such as ultrasound or magnetic therapy are acceptable.

In particular difficult cases and in the absence of positive dynamics after 2 days antibacterial therapy applies surgery. During the operation, the surgeon excises the source of infection and suppuration. Sometimes drainage is installed to remove purulent exudate.

On initial stage mastitis feeding continues as usual. It is extremely important to empty the mammary glands as much as possible. For this purpose, a special position is used (the baby is positioned so that his chin is above the seal), additional pumping is performed and after feeding the child is applied cold compress for 10–15 minutes.

Prevention

Following your doctor's recommendations will help you avoid the development of mastitis. First of all, it is necessary to properly organize the feeding regimen. The baby should be applied every 2-3 hours or as required. During feeding, it is important to ensure that it completely captures not only the nipple, but also the areola: this will avoid cracks. You should not take the breast from your baby by force. You should wait until he lets her go on his own.

It is important to maintain breast hygiene: wash the mammary glands before feeding and dry with a soft towel. It is strictly forbidden to use hard sponges to avoid cracks.

It is necessary to eliminate the factors that provoke lactostasis: position the baby correctly, completely empty the breasts and observe the lactation regime. Avoid injury, hypothermia and compression. Mammologists recommend wearing special nursing underwear made from natural fabrics that supports the breasts and does not narrow the milk ducts.

Strengthening your immune system, being healthy and healthy will help you avoid mastitis. good sleep And proper nutrition With high content foods rich in vitamins and minerals. To prevent exhaustion and maintain normal lactation It is necessary to observe the drinking regime.

A nursing mother should maintain a steady psycho-emotional state, eliminate factors that can lead to stress and overwork. It is also important to promptly treat infectious diseases.

Attention!

This article is published exclusively in educational purposes and does not constitute scientific material or professional medical advice.

Lactation (postpartum) mastitis is an inflammatory disease of the mammary glands that occurs during breastfeeding. Most often, the disease occurs in primiparous women in the first weeks of lactation, as well as during weaning. Mastitis during breastfeeding is caused by pathogenic microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus and streptococcus).

Causes of lactation mastitis

Microcrack of nipples. Entrance gate for microbes, causing mastitis, is the nipple. Therefore any inflammatory diseases with microcracks in the nipples (for example, breast thrush) can lead to the spread of infection into the mammary gland. (read the article about).
Unprepared nipples for feeding.
The postpartum period in women is accompanied by: a) hormonal changes, b) decreased immune strength - which can also lead to mastitis.
Failure to comply with basic breast hygiene standards.
Hypothermia.
Presence of tumors in the mammary gland.
Lactostasis. After childbirth, the breasts swell greatly as the first flow of milk occurs. In this case, the baby may still eat little or not breastfeed at all, which leads to stagnation of milk in the mammary gland - THIS is the most common cause of mastitis in a nursing mother.

Symptoms

The disease is manifested by the following symptoms:

Induration, swelling and pain in the entire breast or some part of it (nipple, areola, mammary gland).
Redness of the skin at the site of inflammation.
Difficulty in milk flow, problems with feeding.
Fever up to 38 0 C and more. Headache, chills, weakness.
Enlarged axillary lymph nodes.

Redness

Seal

Mastitis is difficult to confuse with another disease mammary glands, so if you have the above symptoms, you should definitely see a doctor within two days. In this case, during the first days there is no need to stop feeding the baby. healthy breasts, and you should express milk from breasts with mastitis until you are sure that there is no infectious process in it.

At purulent mastitis, which is determined by ultrasound, you should stop feeding the baby and the healthy breast, since pus can also enter the healthy mammary gland through the blood. Resume breastfeeding It will be possible only after recovery and testing for the presence of infection in milk.

Video #1

What not to do if you suspect mastitis

Mastitis during lactation is not a reason to immediately stop breastfeeding your baby. It is strictly forbidden to use any means or drugs to suppress lactation, and limit fluid intake for this purpose.
Under no circumstances should the area of inflammation be heated: do not take hot baths or showers, or apply a heating pad.
Do not do it on one's own choose antibiotics for yourself or try folk remedies.

Treatment of mastitis

The effectiveness of treatment is directly related to timeliness necessary therapy. If mastitis began to be treated in the first 2 days after its onset characteristic symptoms, That surgical intervention most likely you won't need it. The operation is prescribed only if purulent mastitis. Most often, treatment takes place on an outpatient basis, since the mother continues to breastfeed the baby, and this is important factor in the treatment of mastitis. Stopping breastfeeding during mastitis can only complicate the disease.

Treatment for mastitis includes:

The most important thing at the beginning of the disease is to continue to stimulate the flow of milk from the mammary glands. First, you need to put the baby on the sore breast, since maximum emptying is more important for her. Expressing should be regular, as it is important to reduce the load on the gland and prevent the appearance of new stagnant foci. The only contraindication to feeding from a mastitis breast is the use of antibiotics, which are prescribed only if other conservative (non-surgical) methods do not help.
Conducting regular manual massage from the edges mammary gland to the nipple promotes milk flow.
After feeding, ice or a heating pad with ice should be applied to the sore breast through the tissue for 15 minutes.
For better milk flow and relief of spasms in the mammary gland, before feeding, take a solution of oxytocin, 4 drops, 5 to 6 times a day.

All of the above (pumping, cold and oxytocin) should be done every two hours, including at night.

Note to moms!

Hello girls) I didn’t think that the problem of stretch marks would affect me too, and I’ll also write about it))) But there’s nowhere to go, so I’m writing here: How did I get rid of stretch marks after childbirth? I will be very glad if my method helps you too...

It is important to treat the external source of infection: if there are cracks or inflammation on the nipple, then you should smear it with Bepanten, Purelan - 100 or other anti-inflammatory and healing ointments that your doctor will prescribe.
If the temperature rises above 38 0 C, you need to take antipyretics.
In case of a protracted infectious inflammatory process, the doctor prescribes antibiotics, which are selected depending on the pathogen and are taken for a course of 5-10 days. In parallel with antibacterial drugs Prescribe medications that suppress lactation. During this period the child is transferred to artificial feeding mixtures. After recovery, breastfeeding can be resumed.

Folk remedies

Apply a cabbage leaf to your chest

At the first signs of mastitis, in parallel with the main methods of treatment, some folk remedies can help:

The cabbage leaf is applied to the sore breast all day and under the bra at night.
Compresses and alder and mint leaves. You can take dried leaves and, after soaking them in boiling water for 2 minutes, apply them in gauze to the sore breast for 15 minutes before each pumping or feeding.
Apply burdock (coltsfoot) leaves, scalded with boiling water, to the chest for 10 - 15 minutes.

Prevention

When breastfeeding, mastitis is doubly unpleasant, since it brings discomfort not only to the mother, but also to the child. Therefore, it is important to constantly monitor the prevention of this disease.

Secondly, it is important to attach the baby to the breast correctly and change feeding positions to ensure an even flow of milk. Reading

Thirdly, it is necessary to treat cracked nipples, which often occur in novice nurses. You can smear the nipple with Bepanten before and after feeding or use

Mastitis is inflammation of the mammary glands. It is quite common in women during lactation. Most often, mastitis in a nursing mother occurs in the first three months after childbirth. According to the data latest research, this problem occurs in almost 6% of all young mothers. The disease is also called “lactation mastitis.” Inflammation cannot be ignored, because it can develop into complex illnesses, for example, sepsis.

Mastitis develops gradually, symptoms with different stages varies among nursing mothers. The disease can be serous, purulent, infiltrative. The infiltrative stage of the disease can be identified by poor milk flow, as well as severe pain during feeding. A woman with such symptoms should urgently seek medical help, otherwise she may soon face purulent mastitis. This is the most severe stage of the disease, during which a purulent area forms at the site of inflammation.

Symptoms of mastitis in nursing mothers

The disease develops against the background of milk stagnation. This problem is also called lactostasis. In this case, mastitis has the same symptoms as with stagnation of milk in nursing mothers. The disease can be recognized by the following signs:

breast swelling;
local redness of the skin;
pain in the mammary gland;
the appearance of a lump in the chest;
difficult milk flow;
increase in body temperature up to 38 degrees Celsius;

Mastitis always causes the listed symptoms in nursing mothers. As inflammation develops, the intensity of pain will only increase. With this disease, you should not stop feeding with healthy breasts. And with the patient you need to carefully express milk. This process will be difficult and quite painful, but it must be done.

It is important to cure mastitis as quickly as possible, so the first symptoms that appear in nursing mothers should be the basis for urgent appeal for qualified medical care. Timely consultation will help prevent the spread of the disease. In addition, the sooner treatment begins, the faster and easier it will be.

Mastitis occurs in a nursing mother due to infection with pathogenic microorganisms. In the vast majority of cases, the disease is provoked by Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus. This problem occurs due to:

microcracks in the nipples;
failure to comply with personal hygiene rules;
hypothermia;
chest injuries;
decreased immunity;
tight underwear;
tumors in the mammary gland.

However, most often, in 85% of cases, the disease occurs due to stagnation of milk. It appears when the baby does not completely suck the breast, and the mother does not express the rest. Such stagnant milk is considered an ideal environment for the development of pathogenic microorganisms.

The following doctors will tell you what to do for mastitis in nursing mothers:

At the first appointment, the specialist will examine the woman, assess the complexity of her condition and listen to her complaints. He will also measure her body temperature and palpate her lymph nodes. To get more complete information The doctor will ask about the development of the disease:

How long ago did the pain begin?
Do they get worse with feeding or pressing on the breast?
What other symptoms does the woman observe?
Are there any chronic diseases?
Has the woman suffered chest injuries?
Than in Lately were you sick?

Answering these simple questions, the woman helps the doctor quickly determine the cause of the disease. He will also tell you what to do with mastitis, and what consequences nursing mothers will have if they don’t start timely therapy. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will definitely prescribe a general blood test for the patient, microbiological examination milk, ultrasound scan mammary glands. Only after receiving the results of these procedures can the doctor decide effective treatment mastitis in a nursing mother.

Methods of treating the disease

When the first symptoms of mastitis appear, a woman should urgently seek advice from a specialist. By delaying the start of therapy, she risks encountering the following complications: destruction of the mammary gland, spread of infection to other tissues, and development of sepsis. Treatment of mastitis in a nursing mother begins with taking medications. A woman may be prescribed the following medications:

antibiotics;
immunomodulators;
painkillers;
anti-inflammatory.

If the disease is at initial stage development, then medications may not be prescribed for the treatment of mastitis in a nursing mother. In this case, the doctor will tell you how to properly express milk manually or using special devices.

The inflammatory process observed in the breast tissue is called mastitis. The disease, according to medical practice, occurs not only in women - men and even newborn children can suffer from it. Nursing mothers are more susceptible to this problem than anyone else, because they have an additional burden on their mammary glands.

Causes

The causes of mastitis are completely different than what is commonly believed in society. Many people mistakenly believe that if the breasts get cold, then mastitis will certainly develop. The disease has its origins in proper organization lactation process, as well as in the development of infection:

Complicated lactostasis. If milk stagnation (lactostasis) is treated correctly, the ducts can be cleared within 1-2 days (more details in the article:). The sore breast must be constantly sucked, for which the child is applied to it as often as possible, preferably every hour. Swelling that is not eliminated within 4 days is complicated inflammatory process. Stale milk protein is mistakenly perceived by the organism as foreign, which is why everyone is directed to this area protective forces to fight him. Inflamed tissues begin to turn red and cause pain.
Infection. “Lurking in ambush” is a long-standing infection that has accumulated in the body in the form of caries or chronic tonsillitis, comes out when the opportunity arises. The milk ducts may be attacked by bacteria during a sore throat suffered by a nursing mother. Most often, the infection makes its way through cracks in the nipples.

Based on the causes of mastitis, there are 2 main forms. We will consider below what mastitis occurs in a nursing mother.

Mastitis is an inflammation of the milk ducts that can occur in women various reasons. There is no need to be afraid of it, but it is better to try to prevent the disease

Non-infectious mastitis

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A type of mastitis based on advanced and untreated lactostasis, complicated by the appearance of edema. Symptoms of mastitis in a nursing mother:

the patient’s health is deteriorating, which is associated with the development of a lump in the chest (we recommend reading:);
the temperature rises to 38˚C and even higher;
the breast looks swollen, red and sore.

It is quite possible to independently determine uninfected mastitis. Lactation specialists recommend diagnosing this way: it is necessary to measure the temperature in three parts (under the armpit, in the groin and in the elbow). An increased temperature under the armpit signals the development of complicated lactostasis.

Mastitis in a nursing mother in this form is the easiest to treat; it often does not require the use of antibiotics.

Infectious mastitis

This form of mastitis is accompanied by infection. It can also appear due to an advanced form of non-infectious mastitis. Manifested by the following symptoms:

deterioration of health progresses;
the affected milk lobe causes severe pain, which are felt even when walking and lightly touching, and also characterized by redness and a feeling of hot breasts;
when treating an uninfected form of mastitis, the high temperature continues to be maintained for more than 2 days.

Infectious mastitis in a nursing woman can pose a threat to her health and life if measures are not taken to treat it in a timely manner. Antibiotics are usually actively used to prevent the formation of pus cavities in the chest. Such formations can only be removed surgically or special medically in the form of suction of pus.

Treatment of mastitis

You need to start treating mastitis in a nursing woman immediately after identifying its first signs. Early start treatment guarantees the fastest recovery and prevents the development of complications. It is recommended to consult a mammologist, especially if the disease has not gone away for several days.

Self-treatment

The first therapeutic steps can be taken at home:

Eliminate chest congestion. The “milk plug” that appears as a result of lactostasis must be removed. To do this, put your baby to your breast as often as possible. Don’t be afraid for your baby’s health - nothing threatens him, even if you have infectious form mastitis. No breast pump will be as effective as your baby. Continuing lactation helps speed up the healing process.
You should choose. When sucking, the baby's chin should be directed towards the painful area, so the baby will be able to dissolve exactly the place where the stagnation occurred.
Perform self-massage. Regularly massage the mammary gland from the edge to the nipple, so you will promote better milk flow. For correct technique look at the article for a training video.
Calm down. Milk flow will be better if the woman is in calm state. Before feeding, take a warm shower or use warm compress. To relieve spasms from thoracic ducts use magnesium. To do this, pour the contents of 5-10 ampoules of the drug onto a cloth or gauze, apply to the affected area and hold for about 15 minutes. If liquid gets on your nipple, wash your breast thoroughly before feeding.
Use decongestants. Swelling of the mammary glands can be relieved using cold compresses from cabbage leaf, low-fat cottage cheese or ice previously wrapped in cloth. Compresses will help relieve pain and reduce blood flow to the affected areas. Swollen areas can be lubricated with Arnica or Traumeel S ointments.
Excessive temperatures should be brought down. An increase in body temperature is a sign that active struggle with bacteria that caused inflammation. At low temperature You should not use antipyretic drugs, so as not to interfere with the body’s ability to defeat harmful objects. Temperatures over 38.5°C should be “brought down” with Ibuprofen or Paracetamol (we recommend reading:).

Traumeel S ointment is considered safe homeopathic remedy which helps relieve excess swelling and inflammation

Taking antibiotics

In the case of non-infectious mastitis, most women are treated without the use of antibiotics, but only with the help of proper organization of breastfeeding and means traditional medicine. Taking antibiotics will be necessary if:

relief has not begun even 24 hours after the start of treatment and there is the following symptoms: fever, painful swelling and redness;
no noticeable improvement within 24 hours;
a sharp deterioration in health within 12 hours: enlargement or hardening of the affected area, increased pain.

There is no need to take antibiotics if:

less than 24 hours have passed since the diagnosis of mastitis during breastfeeding and proper treatment is being carried out;
The woman’s well-being improves.

Before you start taking antibiotics, you must consult a specialist. Most doctors do not take responsibility for the health of the mother and child, and therefore require that lactation be suspended during treatment. If you want to continue breastfeeding, be sure to tell your doctor so that he can choose antibiotics that are safe for breastfeeding.

Remember two main rules: do not self-medicate and do not put off visiting a doctor! If you have mastitis, you should never do any warming compresses or procedures. Warmth and nutrient medium, which is milk, - ideal conditions for the development of microbes, and, consequently, increased inflammation will not take long to occur. The doctor will not only examine the mammary glands correctly, but will also prescribe general tests urine and blood and milk culture for bacterial flora, thanks to which one can judge the severity of the disease and adequately select antibiotics. Remember that in the absence timely treatment, initial form inflammation (serous) can quickly, in 2-3 days, go into the infiltrative stage, and then into the purulent stage. Treatment of women with limited purulent and phlegmonous mastitis is carried out only in a hospital, since the main method of therapy in this case is surgical.

Prevention

The truth has long been known - it is much easier to prevent a disease than to cure it later. Prevention of mastitis and lactostasis has the same recommendations:

Use frequent and regular applications. All lactation specialists say that the most favorable method of lactation will be the “on demand” mode. No long breaks and active feeding of the baby mother's milk– the best way to avoid stagnation.
Use different poses. It is always better to attach the baby in different ways: either with a jack (with legs to your head), or from under your arm. This way you will protect yourself and help the baby free all the thoracic lobes.
. Make sure that the baby captures almost the entire areola of the nipple with his mouth. Correct latch is absolutely painless for the mother, and also forces the milk ducts to work as efficiently as possible.
There is no need for unnecessary pumping. An established feeding regimen does not require additional pumping. Excessive activity of the mammary glands, caused by frequent pumping, can provoke the appearance of hyperlactation, and then mastitis is not far away.
Choose the right underwear. Use only specially designed bras for nursing mothers that will not compress the breasts and interfere with the flow of milk.
Protect your chest from injury. Bruises can cause blockage of blood vessels. Cracks caused by feeding should not be washed frequently with soap, as this will remove the protective top layer of fat, which will become a direct path for bacteria. Warm shower– the optimal product for maintaining hygiene.
Gradually wean. You should not suddenly stop feeding your baby your milk when you start introducing complementary foods. Practice shows that greatest number mastitis occurs as a result of very rapid weaning of the baby from the breast. Everything needs to be done gradually, then the end of the lactation period will be tolerated calmly by both mother and baby.