Having mastitis after weaning

This is an automatically translated article.

Mastitis is an infection of the breast, which is more common in women who are breastfeeding. However, it can still develop after you've weaned your baby, or at any time, even during pregnancy.

1. Common Reasons Mothers Stop Breastfeeding

Some mothers experience breast pain even when they stop breastfeeding. However, abrupt weaning can lead to problems like blocked milk ducts, engorgement and mastitis, so it's best to wean your baby slowly. First, let's learn about the most common reasons why mothers decide to stop breastfeeding.
Breast pain: Breastfeeding may feel uncomfortable for the first time, and many even experience cracked nipples and sore breasts. It is these discomforts that make many mothers decide to stop breastfeeding.
Insufficient milk production: some mothers worry that their milk production is not enough for their baby's nutritional needs, so they switch to formula milk.
Starting work again: some women who want to return to work soon after giving birth often choose to wean their children. However, this often makes it difficult for them to express milk, as workplaces tend to be less private.
Baby has grown: breast milk is the only source of nutrition for babies in the first 6 months after birth. When the baby reaches this milestone, you can gradually introduce the baby to solid foods instead of just breast milk.

2. What causes mastitis after weaning?

A nursing mother's body will continue to make milk for several weeks after she stops breastfeeding. Your body can still produce more milk and pump more often even after you've weaned your baby.
This amount of milk when accumulated in large quantities can cause the milk ducts to become blocked. This can lead to a painful condition known as mastitis, which is an infected breast. Sudden weaning can cause breasts to become engorged and painful.

3. Symptoms accompanying mastitis after weaning

Below are some of the symptoms that accompany mastitis after weaning, including:
Pain in the areola Recurrent pains in one or both breasts Acute attacks of breast pain in the early days weaning, but this should subside with time Large, lumpy or hard breasts Feeling of heaviness or tightness in the breasts Flu-like symptoms, including shivering, chills, fatigue, high fever, anxiety and discomfort in the body Red nipples Milk secreted from the nipples due to friction When suffering from breast pain due to mastitis, the painful breast will feel hot, swollen and hard, accompanied by burning. If you have any of the symptoms listed above, whether you're breastfeeding or not, it's important to contact your doctor early for proper treatment.

4. How long can post-weaning mastitis last?

Mastitis can last for several days or weeks depending on the individual's condition. Most women experience severe breast pain during the first few days of weaning.
Usually, the symptoms of mastitis subside or disappear over time. However, if the pain in the breast does not show any signs of relief after several days, it is best to seek the help of a gynecologist or health care professional as soon as possible for prompt treatment.

5. Remedies for mastitis after weaning for children

If you are breastfeeding and experiencing breast tenderness, here are some home remedies you can follow:
Warm baths: a warm shower or bath can help. makes breast tissue softer, thereby reducing milk accumulation. In addition, the hot compress method also helps significantly reduce the pain caused by mastitis.
Use a breast pump: you can also use a breast pump if you feel your breasts are too full.
Breast massage: if you don't want to use a breast pump, gently press the udder to let the milk out. To properly perform breast massage, you should consult with experts to find the method that is right for you. This will give you time to rest and relieve breast pain. Alternatively, you can also massage your breasts gently while taking a warm bath.
Cold compress: applying ice to the breasts will help effectively reduce swelling and breast pain.
Add plenty of fluids for the body: to avoid dehydration and fever, you should add more fluids to the body, such as mineral water, cooled boiled water or fruit juice.
Use OTC medications: you can use some pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or paracetamol, to ease breast pain and swelling. However, consult your doctor before taking any medication.
Drink sage tea (Sage tea): you can also relieve breast pain by drinking sage tea about 2 times per day.
Apply cabbage leaves to the chest: applying fresh and cold cabbage leaves to the chest is a useful remedy for breast pain. When applying this method, you should change the leaves as often as they have wilted.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle: to prevent and relieve the symptoms of mastitis after weaning your baby, you should eat a balanced diet and adopt a healthy lifestyle. In addition, you can consume vitamins before giving birth so that your body can easily adapt to new habits.
Get enough sleep: sleep is a way to help the body heal itself. Therefore, a good and deep sleep is extremely important for health.
Share with other mothers: if you are having a problem that you cannot share with family members, you can seek help from other mothers who have been through the same phase .

6. Tips to help your baby wean without breast pain

The following tips will help you wean your baby effectively without breast pain:
Slowly reduce the number of feedings per day Pump milk from your breast until the discomfort is relieved . However, expressing all the milk in one go can increase milk production, so you should only express a little at a time. Choose a comfortable bra while breastfeeding because wearing a tight bra can clog the milk ducts and cause breasts to swell. You can also reduce lactation by taking tablets. However, consult your doctor before use. Weaning a baby is a huge psychological as well as physical challenge for both mother and baby. You should be patient when trying to wean your baby as it both takes time and effort to get through the process. At first, your baby may have a hard time adjusting to new foods, and may still insist on breastfeeding. At this point, you should implement weaning slowly and give your body the time it needs to deal with the changes.
When a child shows abnormal signs of health, parents can take the child to Vinmec Health system for timely examination and treatment.
As a key area of ​​Vinmec Health System, Pediatrics Department - Vinmec International General Hospital always brings satisfaction to customers and is highly appreciated by industry experts thanks to the following advantages:
gathers a team of leading doctors and doctors in Pediatrics: including leading experts, with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctorates, masters), experienced, having worked in different hospitals. big hospitals like Bach Mai, 108.. The doctors are all well-trained, professional, have a heart - reach, understand young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. from birth to adulthood Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation. blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to have fun and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment.

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Reference source: babycenter.com; parenting.firstcry.com