Ailments and Situations - Breastfeeding and Related Issues - Mastitis / Breast Infection

If a plugged duct (see below) is not attended to, infection can occur. Mastitis is an inflammatory condition of the breast, usually caused by streptococcal or staphylococcal bacteria. Symptoms include breast soreness and redness, fever, and flu-like symptoms. In general, flu-like symptoms in nursing mothers should be considered an infection until proven otherwise.

In some cases, a breast infection can result in a breast abscess, where the sore breast fills with pus. You must see your naturopath or other health practitioner if this occurs. In this situation, express milk from the infected breast and discard. Continue breastfeeding on the uninfected breast.

Remedies

Continue to nurse your baby. Ducts will remain full if you stop and may make the problem worse.

Get plenty of rest and drink fluids

Apply heat with a hot water bottle

Discuss this situation with your pediatrician, naturopath, or other health practitioner.

Homeopathy

Certain remedies can be used in acute situations if your symptoms fit the symptom picture of the remedy. For dosages, see the dedicated section on Homeopathy. Consult your homeopath or naturopath to determine your constitutional remedy: the remedy that best fits you as a whole person. Your homeopath or naturopath will take a complete case history considering all of your mental and physical ailments and match these symptoms with the symptom picture of the remedy.

The following remedies should be taken every 4 hours for up to 5 days:

Belladonna: Fast formation of the abscess, mastitis. Breast is very tender, red, painful, and hot.

Bryonia: Mastitis accompanied by hardness of the breast. Breast is painful and hot, but not red. Symptoms are made better with heat.