Causes of Mastitis

Having recently created a post on my experience of mastitis and what to do when it happens. How to prevent it, is just as important if not more so.

Causes of non-infectious mastitis

• Incorrect latch, this can lead to milk being left in the breast and creating pain
• Problems with the baby being able to suck, such as tongue tied. This is when the flap of skin under the tongue is too tight, it can be easily sorted with a small cut done by a Doctor.
• Poorly fitting underwear, it is advisable to get measured during pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding. Increased pressure on breast tissue can cause problems
• Your baby favoring one breast over the other.
• Missing feeds, can cause mastitis, if you have to miss feeds, try and express, this will also become more comfortable for yourself.

Which results in the milk ducts being blocked, causing inflammation of the breast tissue.

With the infectious version of mastitis this is slightly different, this is caused by a bacteria, which is usually harmless, but can enter the breast via a cracked nipple, or from the babies mouth.

First time breastfeeding

Even though it is been a while since I started breastfeeding, it feels like yesterday. With my first, William instantly knew what he wanted and fed from the word go. Each time the midwife came to see us, he’s be feeding. I don’t think the midwife ever saw me without William at my breast. After a few days he developed a sore spot on his upper lip, after finding out this was normal, I relaxed a little more. Apart from him developing jaundice, luckily it didn’t go to the treatment stage, but it did involve additional trips back to hospital. The doctor informed me that “boys are lazy eaters”. I’m not sure I agree with this, I’ve had days when I haven’t been able to get dressed, because he’s wanted to feed so much.

Breastfeeding a baby for nearly 7 hours is exhausting, but it helped his jaundice and it did pass with no medical intervention.

With my second baby, he wasn’t so keen, I still don’t know why, we just couldn’t get it together.  I suppose had I not had such a successful time with my first, I would have given up and I can understand why women do, after 9 months of waiting, you get a mini helpless crying thing that does want your breast milk, it did feel a bit like an insult. But I kept on going and after 2 maybe 4 days we were sorted. Sadly I then developed mastitis, which was very painful, but managed to get quick treatment and was much better after a week or so.

What was frustrating to me was that the first time had been so easy, I felt very confident and completely at ease with breastfeeding, but this was very different. My confidence dropped, I felt unsure if I was doing the right thing, this feeling lasted for at least the first month, maybe more. But I did continue and ended up breastfeeding for just over 4 months. I think if it has been as easy as the first time I would have continued passed the 6 month mark.

With my third, when I was unsure which direction my breastfeeding would take, I started to feel anxious about doing it, the first time was easy totally led by my baby, the second one was problematic. The third time again was very easy. What a relief!