I'm really lucky that I have not gotten mastisis (knock on wood). I've had blocked ducts here and there but have managed to work them out before they became a problem. I'm really scared of getting mastisis because I've heard so many women say that they stopped nursing at that point.

I don't know what I had (yeast infection>) but there are days when feedeing almost brought me to tears. I pushed through (soaked in a hot tub or shower and kept warm compresses on me chest) and survived. I just thought of it as pain training for the next pregnancy .

Seriously, as much as it hurt, the pain was tolerable.

I had blocked ducts a few times and that was extremely painful. I can not imagine what mastisis would be like. It would be absolutely awful. I am lucky to never have had to deal with it.

I haven't personally experienced this, but I've heard it can be excruciating. I wonder if anyone has any prevention tips?

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Tigriz
Mom to Alex - 1/21/06

Let me see if I remember what I was told (it was only a few months ago - so you'd think I would) Warm compress before and after feeding. Advil for pain. Warm showers (I have a huge bathtub so I floated in it instead). I believe there is something you can take as well, but I tried to avoid anything other than advil.

My poor sister had this with her first pregnancy. SHe tried the warm compresses and hot showers, more pain medication than she liked to take. She stopped nursing because of it and I think feels a little guilty about it now.

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Umbilical Cord Blood Storage | Breastfeeding Advice and Information

Why is it that we feel so guilty if we can't nurse. I was fortunate to be able to nurse both my kids for a year each, by my sister wasn't so lucky. She felt so guilty. We do our best and if we are miserable we shouldn't feel guilty about the alternative.

I heard that if you have blocked ducts (which leads to mastisis), use the warm compresses, but ALSO, nurse in a laying-down position, and massage the sore area while you are nursing. I typically nurse laying down because that's what baby and I like, and I honestly think it really helps!

Good point. I do remember hearing something about lying down is better for that now that you mention it. I like to lie down and nurse sometimes. It was very relaxing for me and the baby. I would even fall asleep sometimes, but I knew I would never roll onto my baby. I wouldn't fall into that deep of sleep.