My lovely friend, Mastitis

I am currently breastfeeding my second child.  I absolutely love breastfeeding and I am a very avid supporter of the cause.  This time around hasn't been the easiest, as I have been plagued with mastitis for (currently) the 4th time.

Some facts/symptoms of Mastitis:

• Mastitis appears to be the body's way of telling mom to SLOW DOWN.

• Typical mastitis symptoms include a fever of 101.3°F (38.5°C) or greater, chills, flu-like aching, malaise and systemic illness.

• Mastitis may come on suddenly, and usually affects just one breast.

• There may be red streaks extending outward from the affected area.

• Very sore and/or painful breasts (usually it's just a specific area on one breast).

Mastitis always seems to occur when I am over-doing it, so it has been my time where I tell my husband to take the kids, and let me rest (besides nursing, nursing, nursing)!  Here is what I have discovered that has cured my mastitis is just a couple days...

• Do NOT decrease or stop nursing when you have a plugged duct or mastitis, as this increases risk of complications (including abscess).
• NURSE, NURSE, NURSE! - Nurse your baby for as long as possible
• Raw Garlic - At least 2-3 raw cloves per day, 4-5 cloves a day if possible. Chop a clove into 5 or 6 pieces and then swallow the pieces whole like pills.  Raw garlic acts as a broad-spectrum antibiotic, without the added antibiotic side effects of the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, or the development of yeast infections or thrush. The antimicrobial property in garlic, allicin, is very sensitive to heat and is destroyed when cooked. In order for it to work, it needs to be raw. Swallowing the cloves with orange juice helps with the taste for me. Allicin is also what gives garlic its pungent odor, so the deodorized garlic capsules that some companies offer are essentially useless, if they are being taken for the antimicrobial properties. However, deodorized garlic is still beneficial for its blood pressure reducing properties and for stimulating the immune system. 
• Tincture of Echinacea - as directed on bottle, 3-4 times per day.
• Tincture of Oregon Grape Root - as directed on bottle, 3-4 times per day.
• Vitamin C - 3000-5000 mg per day (literally load up on it!).
• Cold or Warm Compresses - I've talked to women that like cold, and some that like warm, but I have tried both and they both worked for me.  Rotating between the two would probably be ideal.
• Hot Shower or Bath - let the water just run over your breast and massage toward the nipple. 
• REST, REST, REST! - This is your time to rest, ladies.  Take advantage of feeling like garbage and just lay in bed.  It is what your body needs.

If you feel a plugged duct or mastitis coming on, a great way to kick it before it gets worse is to put a whole cabbage leaf inside of your bra, right next to your breast.  This has worked wonders for many people I know.  If you would like to find out more information on plugged milk ducts or mastitis, I really like kellymom.com.

If you do not start feeling better with-in 24-48 hours, seek medical attention.