Mastitis: Cause for mothers not to breastfeed

By Halima Gladys
A mother who was in distress to breastfeed her month-old baby was recently confused at the best milk supplement to give her while she sought treatment for an inflammation of one of her breasts. The breast was tender, appeared reddish and hot. Her doctor informed her she suffered from mastitis. She complained that it was painful and she could not imagine the thought of her baby breastfeeding until she got a solution. The problem went from bad to worse because the milk in her breast was not being expelled since it was engorged.
Mastitis affects up to one third of breastfeeding women usually during the first two months after delivery. It can also be a possible risk factor for the transmission of HIV virus through breastfeeding. The good news however is that mastitis can be treated at low cost with antibiotics. But the mother needs to be counselled about proper baby and mother attachment. While Breastfeeding is vital in prevention of mastitis. Mothers do not need to entirely give up on breastfeeding their babies during a mastitis attack.
Breast milk in itself can be a sooth for cracks on the areola and mothers are encouraged when baby bites the breast and cracks appear, apply her own breast milk to the area and the cracks dry up.
If one breast is inflamed the baby can be breastfed on the uninfected breast. Mothers should smear some milk in the infected breast at different times to avoid engorgement of the breast. Warm compresses on the affected breast alternated with cold compresses can ease the pain and enhance comfort for both mother and child during lactation.