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Well if you can still BF while you have mastitis I don't see why you'd have to dump.

Nurse, nurse, nurse! Definitely get some antibiotics and look after yourself - hope you feel better soon!!

for sure keep the milk pump pump nurse nurse! you can do it... i'm so sorry, i know it really really sucks

@coacheswife123: feel better!!

Just fyi, this happened to me a couple months ago, and I didn't need an antibiotic. Mine was just a plugged duct. I'm terrified of being on antibiotics while nursing because I'm so scared of getting thrush. I'm not saying you definitely shouldn't go the antibiotic route, but maybe wait and see if you feel better tomorrow before getting them? I pumped a lot, took hot showers, massaged the sore spot, did different nursing positions, etc. to get the plugged duct un-plugged. And I had a fever and flu-like symptoms just like you.

ETA: read up on KellyMom about plugged ducts and mastitis. Very helpful! http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/mastitis/

Drink lots of water!! Rest a lot if you can. Take some painkiller or fever reducer for sure. Nurse or pump at least as often as you normally would. Moist heat. I would ask the doctor to call in an antibiotic and even fill it, but if you are turning a corner by tomorrow evening, you may be able to go without the Meds.

@coacheswife123: yikes!!' I think an Advil or Tylenol would do you

@allison: I learned the hard way that antibiotics aren't always the answer... After getting mastitis back to back twice and taking antibiotics, the third time I got it my OB refused to write me a script without me trying to make it go away by just rest and taking a break.

But by all means if you are in a lot of discomfort I would still get the Meds.

@coacheswife123: if you do end up taking an antibiotic, take lots of probiotics with it! They will help replenish the good bacteria the meds kill (to help avoid thrush).

@coacheswife123: how are you feeling today?

@coacheswife123: so I have had mastitis twice - the most recent bout about a month ago, days before we had to leave for disney. I feel your pain, it SUCKS!! here are my tips - if you've got a fever, go on the antibiotics. seriously. I took them and made sure to avoid extra sugar, ate yogurt, and took acidophillus (you can find this in the vitamin aisle in target, alphabetical order!). I didn't get LO any probiotics, didn't pump/dump, kept nursing her. the dr gave me nursing-safe antibiotics. I did not have any issues with them - the first go-round I was on Kelfex, the second time, I was on dicloxacillin. my symptoms were gone in 24-36 hours, aside from the blockage..that took a couple more days.

as far as the blockage, it hurts like the dickens but massage the heck out of it to get rid of it. alternate heat and ice (ice brings down the swelling!), pump and nurse CONSTANTLY - if possible, dangle feed LO (really awkward, but the gravity helps - kneel over him on the bed or over changing table or something) and try to point his chin toward the block/infection. massage while he's nursing or you are pumping, and any time you are not nursing or pumping, alternate heat and ice packs!

@Coacheswife123: I'm sorry, mastitis sucks!! Keep applying the heating pad and have your DH help you massage it. I had some massive blocked ducts in the early months, where LO was seriously only emptying about 1/4 of my boob because it was so blocked, and the only thing that ever got them unblocked was DH. I'd go on all fours and he would attack my boob from any angle he could, massaging with much greater force than I ever could. It worked every time. Yes, it is a bit embarrassing and I felt like a cow being milked,but it worked. A couple of times it took 2-3 hours, but we'd eventually get there in the end. I also never ended up taking antibiotics as we were always able to clear it within 2-3 days.

Another thing, yes ABSOLUTELY keep feeding/pumping your baby! The milk will have antibodies that will protect your LO and it's perfectly safe.

If this is a recurring problem, I found that adding a lecithin supplement to my morning cereal solved the problem completely. It's completely natural and is a fat emulsifier of sorts that makes the milk travel through the ducts easier. Once I started using it, I never had another blocked duct. I can't recommend it highly enough. Just a thought!

ETA: have you checked your nipple for a tiny whitehead? If you see one, it could be a bleb (milk blister) that you'll need to get out before the milk will come flying out. Not every blocked duct has one but it's worth checking. If you do see one, I used tweezers and a sterilized needle to get it out. Good luck!