I have Mastitis and ive stopped breastfeeding do i need 2 express?

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.

Stopping Breastfeeding Mastitis

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.

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.

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.

my dr told me to express just enough to relieve the pressure if it got TOO painful...yeah, i dont know what they consider TOO painful but mastitis hurts like HE** i feel for ya, big time, it makes it hard to even pick your baby up and hold him/her to you. hot showers help, and heating pads, as the first poster recommended. then you have to wait it out until the milk starts to dry up and relive the pressure, the anti biotics should unplug the infected duct and take care of that part. good luck hun and ihope it feels better soon.

If you want to bottle feed with breast milk then you need to keep pumping so that you don't dry up. You can also pump for a little to help rid your breasts of the infection.

not necessarily.

a) call doctor, they can give you a prescription

b) in meatime put a heating pad on it or get in shower with hot water

... i have had it a few times, it hurts!!

sorry, didn't see 2nd part of quest. just apply heat and soak in tub, it'll feel better in a couple days. it took mine 3-4 days to get better each time.

If you plan to not go back to breastfeeding, then don't express. It will trick your body into thinking it still needs to produce milk. You will just have to let it dry up.