Im on penicilin for the mastitis which i started yesterday, am i meant to express my milk or is it best to leave it?
Ive started bottle feeding my baby since last night and not going back to breastfeeding.
Peanut Butter
Favorite Answer
With mastitis, it's very important, even if on medicine, to empty the breast frequently of milk. The best way to do this is by nursing; there is no need to stop nursing while on penicillin. If you are planning on weaning anyway, then now is not the time because of the infection. You should at least express, but nursing is better as the breast is emptied better. Then, after you're over the mastitis, you could gradually cut out one feeding/pumping every couple days, as a rapid weaning is a good way to get mastitis.
Anonymous
Stopping Breastfeeding Mastitis
Anonymous
1 There is no need to stop breastfeeding unless you had planned to stop anyway.
#2 I don't know about the exact antibiotic you are on but I was given cephlex for mastitis adn it was safe to continue breastfeeding. Ask for a different med if the one your taking isn't.
#3 Not nursing and not pumping will actually exacerbate the problem. Nursing helps mastitis by keeping and unclogging the ducts in your breast. Mastitic milk is perfectly safe for your baby also. I triple checked this when I got it.
Good luck!
#4 If you are trying to dry up then don't pump but it will probably prolong your recovery.
Anonymous
No you gradually decrease the number of times you are pumping a day. You don't go cold turkey or you can give yourself mastitis. Call your hospital. There is probably a lactation educator who does classes and answers phone questions. They have a whole recommended protocol on how to wean properly. I would give you the number for mine but I like in California and you'd be paying long distance.
Pippin
Yes, yes, yes. YOu need to be pumping or you run a VERY high chance of having your mastitis turn into an abcess. Cold turkey weaning is the worst possible thing to do if you have mastitis.
Pump your milk (and by all means feed it to your baby while you have it), and gradually wean your breasts from the pump.