Avoiding Mastitis

Mastitis is an painful infection usually caused by a build up of milk in the breast. Left untreated it can progress quickly and even require hospitalization. It is often initially overlooked as mom is tired and run down post birth and adjusting to life with a newborn. It is so important that moms take time out to take care of themselves during the postnatal period. 

If you are experiencing any of the following accompanied by a fever, headache, and body aches, contact your doctor immediately.

• a red, swollen area on your breast that may feel hot and painful to touch.
• a breast lump or area of hardness on your breast.
• a burning pain in your breast that may be continuous, or may only occur when you are breastfeeding.
• nipple discharge, which may be white or contain streaks of blood

In breastfeeding women, mastitis is often caused by a build-up of milk within the breast. This is known as milk stasis.
Milk stasis can occur for a number of reasons, including:

• a baby not properly attaching to the breast during feeding
• a baby having problems sucking
• infrequent feeds or missing feeds

In some cases, this build-up of milk can also become infected with bacteria. This is known as infective mastitis.
In non-breastfeeding women, mastitis most often occurs when the breast becomes infected as a result of damage to the nipple, such as a cracked or sore nipple, or a nipple piercing.
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​It is critical that you take care of yourself during the postnatal period. There is so much focus on caring for baby that moms so often forget how import it is to replenish their own bodies. Timing time out for yourself occasionally allows your to give 100% 

Imagine yourself as jug full of water filling glasses until you are empty. You have to go to the tap and refill before you can give again. What is it that refills you? Make time to be refilled in your schedule regularly!

Postnatal Massage