treating the breast infection, mastitis, with home remedies
i had mastitis several times during my breastfeeding journeys with my three children. each of these suggestions were helpful to me. remember, i am not a doctor but i am a mom who has experienced mastitis with each breastfeeding infant.
what is mastitis?
mastitis is an inflammation of breast tissue that’s common among breastfeeding moms. in fact, 1 in 10 moms may develop it while nursing. along with breast pain and warmth, you may develop flu-like symptoms and even an infection if you don’t treat it promptly. it comes on quickly, so listen closely to your body.
causes
engorged breasts, infrequent nursing, skipped feedings, cracked nipples, oversupply of milk, a poor latch, pressure on the breasts, tight fitting bra, and excessive stress.
symptoms
may include pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in the breasts, discharge from the nipples, a hard lump in the breast tissue, aches, chills, exhaustion, and other flu-like symptoms, decreased milk production in the affected breast, fever.
13 home remedies for mastitis
rest. give yourself permission to rest and stay in bed. get extra sleep and nap when the baby naps. call in someone who can help: a good friend, a neighbor, grandma, a postpartum doula…
breastfeeding. continue to breastfeed even through the soreness. offer the breast every two hours during this time to encourage emptying of the breast. let the baby start out nursing on the uncomfortable breast first to help empty the breast and offer the other breast too to avoid engorgement.
change feeding positions. try the side lying positions or the football hold. making these changes will assure the breast is emptying on all sides. the hands and knees position while dangling your breast above your child can also help breasts drain. la leche league international encourages nursing moms to breastfeed with the baby’s chin pointed toward the plugged duct.
saline soak. use your haakaa and add 1 tablespoon epson salt to some warm water. put this warm salty water into the haakaa and hold it at an angle so your nipple can reach the warm salty water and soak for 15-20 minutes several times a day until improved.
pump or hand express milk. while the baby nurses and also after the feeding to ensure it is emptying each time. hand expressing milk can also be done while in the shower.
very gentle massage. massage the affected area to help open up the clogged milk duct. it may feel like a hard lump. start there or above the area and move down toward the nipple area. use your fingers or a small hand held massage tool and work towards the nipple to help the milk ducts drain. massage can also be done while in the shower to empty the breast. gently rolling a water bottle filled with warm water can feel good too. starting at the arm pit and moving down toward the nipple go all the way around the breast.
shower. warm showers can soothe the engorged breast and help ease the pain.
hydrate. hydrate drink plenty of water to keep your milk supply up.
warm and cold compress. alternate these hot and cold compresses. both of these treatments help relieve the pain and soreness.
essential oils. lavender and tea tree oil can be placed on the reddened area and massaged in. avoid nipple area. these oils have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. wash off oils before baby nurses each time.
cabbage. cool cabbage leaves inside the bra around the breast for 20 minutes or until they become warm, then throw the leaves away. don’t cover the nipple area. cabbage helps with pain and inflammation of the breast.
raw potato. raw thin-sliced white potatoes laid on the affected area also help to draw out the infection.
supplements for immune boost:
garlic is a great natural antibiotic. cut raw garlic into smaller bites and swallow one every hour until you feel better. wash it down with orange juice to hide the taste.
vitamin c. take extra vitamin c. foods rich in vitamin c include kiwi, strawberries, red peppers, oranges, broccoli, and tomatoes.
sunflower lecithin aids breastfeeding by making the milk less viscous.
“many experts recommend sunflower lecithin for women who experience recurrent, painful blocked milk ducts. while proper care is absolutely essential to help treat a current clogged duct, lecithin can help reduce the viscosity of breast milk, making it less likely to happen again in the future.” dr. josh axe is a doctor of chiropractic, certified doctor of natural medicine, and a clinical nutritionist in nashville, tn. shares his thoughts on treating mastitis.
and #13, call your doctor if…
- if you have symptoms or concerns after 1 or 2 days of trying to heal at home, contact your doctor. antibiotics may be needed to clear the infection.
- watch for red streaks on your breast from the areola to the arm pit, red, hot, swollen breasts, cracked nipples that look infected, chills and worsening flu-like symptoms.
- contact your lactation consultant to hear other suggestions you can make in your breastfeeding routine.
contact laura for your doula needs in crossville, and cookville and surrounding cities in middle tennessee.
more about grammie doula
i am a full-time postpartum doula in middle tn and my clients call me grammie doula. i have 25 years as a labor and delivery nurse and then 10 years as a a birth photographer. during the pandemic, i was able to take doula training and now i can support clients in-person and virtually. i am a mom to 3 grown children, 6 grandchildren and a baby in heaven. i live in a small house with a long front porch surrounded by woods with my gray-bearded husband and four pets that prefer his company over mine!
