Are you experiencing pain from breastfeeding?

You may need treatment for mastitis.

What is mastitis?

Lactational mastitis is a condition in which the breast milk duct becomes clogged and infected while breastfeeding. There are many benefits to breastfeeding, but mastitis may occur during the first few months of breastfeeding while the milk supply is adjusting. The affected breast may have red painful lumps that are typically accompanied by fever and chills. Some patients may experience yeast mastitis, which is a yeast infection of the nipple and breast ducts. Contact your provider if you think you have mastitis. For more information and tips on breastfeeding, please visit our FAQs.

Get the Treatment You Need

Your provider may recommend the following treatments depending on your medical history and diagnosis:

Nonsteroidal Inflammatory Agents

Ibuprofen or naproxen like Aleve or Advil

Antibiotics

Dicloxacillin
Erythromycin

Antifungal Medication

Fluconazole

Suffering from mastitis? Alpha Providers can help.

Get Treated

Learn About Mastitis

Do you think you may have mastitis? Learn the symptoms, causes, and prevention tips.

Symptoms

LACTATIONAL MASTITIS SYMPTOMS

Breast tenderness or swelling
Red, hard, painful breast lump
Pain or burning sensation while breastfeeding
Fever or chills

YEAST MASTITIS SYMPTOMS

Sore nipples
Deep, sharp, stabbing, shooting and/or burning pains in the breast
Usually no fever or chills
Decreased milk supply
Blocked milk duct

Causes

LACTATIONAL MASTITIS CAUSES

Blocked milk duct
Oversupply of milk
Genetic predisposition to blocked milk ducts
Bacteria entering the breast

YEAST MASTITIS CAUSES

High levels of estrogen lead to elevated levels of sugar; yeast feeds on sugar
Nipple damage in early breastfeeding
Use of antibiotics in pregnancy or immediately after delivery
Previous long-term antibiotic use
Previous vaginal thrush infection
Use of breast pads, which create a moist environment around the nipple and allow yeast to multiply
Fatigue and/or exhaustion
Poor diet
Chronic illness, including HIV, diabetes or anemia

Prevention Tips

TIPS TO HELP PREVENT MASTITIS

Have the baby’s chin point toward the clog as it breastfeeds—use different breastfeeding positions to prevent and eliminate clogged ducts
Use a massager or vibrating toothbrush over the lump to try and break up the clog
Take sunflower lecithin
Don’t wear any tight or restrictive clothing
Take a warm bath or shower
Fully empty the breast with feedings or hand expression
Proper nipple care is important - cracks are the port of entry for infection
Drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration, which can cause milk supply to decline