What to do if mastitis causes recurring fever?

From the perspective of clinical incidence, mastitis often occurs in breastfeeding women. Lumps appear in the breasts and there is pain when pressing. Sometimes it is accompanied by adverse symptoms such as high fever, and even recurrent fever. In this case, breastfeeding must be stopped immediately, and the milk should be washed out with a breast pump. Finally, antibiotics should be used for treatment, which is effective and most patients can be cured.

1. What are the symptoms of mastitis during lactation?

If a mother experiences swollen and painful breasts, tender lumps, red and hot skin, or fever and other systemic symptoms, she may have lactation mastitis. If symptoms do not improve within 12-24 hours and instead worsen, such as severe pain, redness and swelling of the skin, or severe systemic symptoms such as fever, antibiotics are often needed quickly.

2. What to do if mastitis causes repeated fever

Lactational mastitis usually occurs within three months after delivery, and most of them occur in primiparas. If the sick pregnant woman is treated properly, the inflammation can be absorbed and cured quickly. Mastitis during lactation and fever must be treated promptly, otherwise it can easily cause breast abscess. First of all, you should stop breastfeeding immediately, use a breast pump to drain the milk, and clean the nipples with clean water. However, you cannot simply reduce the fever without reducing inflammation. You should go to the hospital in time to receive antibiotic treatment. Through regular treatment, most patients with mastitis can be cured without stopping breastfeeding.

3. How to prevent mastitis

First, it depends on the individual and the supplement should be taken according to needs. Some mothers have trouble producing milk, so their families rush to cook fish soup or pig's trotter soup to nourish their bodies. In fact, this approach is not necessarily appropriate. The first thing to do is to figure out the cause of low milk production. Is it due to low milk secretion, or is it caused by milk stasis and blocked milk ducts? In other words, is it necessary to identify whether it is true low milk production or false low milk production? Because in many cases, milk is being continuously secreted and accumulating in the breasts, but because the mammary ducts are not yet unobstructed, it cannot be discharged smoothly, giving the appearance of "not much milk", which is false low milk production. At this time, taking foods that promote milk production can only have a counterproductive effect and can easily lead to the occurrence of acute mastitis.

The second is to keep the breasts clean. During breastfeeding, you can use gauze dipped in warm water to clean the breasts and nipples before breastfeeding. After breastfeeding, wipe the breasts and nipples clean with warm water. Never use chemical products such as soap and alcohol to scrub the nipples, otherwise the local defense ability of the nipples will be reduced, the nipples will become dry and cracked, leading to bacterial infection.

The third is correct breastfeeding. Regular breastfeeding is recommended, preferably every 2 to 3 hours. Feed the two breasts alternately, and it is best to give them equal opportunities to prevent asymmetry of the breasts after breastfeeding. Empty your breasts and don't let milk accumulate. When one breast is enough to feed the baby, use a breast pump to empty the other breast. Don't be stingy with milk, because the more the baby eats, the more milk there is. Of course, if the milk is insufficient, you can also store it in the refrigerator. Do not let the baby sleep with the nipple in his mouth after feeding. The baby's saliva contains digestive enzymes, which will cause the milk to form a cheese-like substance, blocking the milk duct opening, causing poor milk discharge and even congestion. The breastfeeding posture should be correct. It is best to sit and less to lie down. After feeding, the baby should be held upright, with his head resting on the mother's shoulder and his back gently patted. This will allow the baby to expel the air inhaled while feeding through burping, preventing spitting up milk. Wearing a suitable bra after breastfeeding can not only support the breasts and maintain smooth blood circulation inside the breasts, but also help correct sagging breasts.