So I developed Mastitis over the weekend for the first time. Looking back I know it was my fault. Moving, no sleep, Thanksgiving dinner at my house. [whatsmack]
[hug] ! Warning new Moms just snuggle your newborn and do not take on to much ! [hug]

Thankfully we caught it right away and my Midwife was able to treat naturally with herbs and rest, but now I see my house falling apart and laundry piling up and school has been beyond pathetic. I need to get busy, but I am scared it will come back. If you had mastitis once is it likely to return?

Well... the great thing about a new baby... among the other million things.... is the excuse to *rest*. I know that it's hard to sit back and let things go for a little while, but it's less work to do it now, and heal up nicely... than it is to push through and wind up neededing *more* time to rest. ya know? I'm saying these words to *you* so that you can say them to me when the time comes- cause I know it will. We moms never take our own advice. :) "I can push through another hour on my feet. That laundry REALLY needs to be done *right now*, not later." Yeah. You *just* had a baby woman, take it easy, you have earned this little break. :)

I feel your pain! Well maybe not quite. I have a clogged duct and OUCH it hurts!! I can't imagine the pain that goes along with mastisis!! I don't know how I could be such a trooper through labor but something like this and I'm whining like a baby! I'm trying to take care of it before it becomes infected and I'm *trying* to take it easy but it's hard to sit and relax when so much needs done. I'm still behind on laundry from when my dryer broke down.. we haven't been doing hardly any school and my floors are really really bad!! I hope it doesn't come back for you!

I'm sorry to hear you had mastitis. I don't know if it is inclined to return if you don't typically get it. I know that for some reason, I am more inclined to get it period. (Even though I did everything I could to avoid it!) I got it 1-3 times with EACH of my kids. Yuck. I'm told that some women are just more likely to get it. :shrug: I feel your pain - been there, done that. Just do your best to take it easy. Cut corners where you can. (ie. get the laundry through the washer, but get dressed out of the baskets.... or whatever corners you are comfortable cutting.)

Thanks guys. [duck]

Yup, take this as a warning to take it easy Jen, Ha if only we could listen to our own advise. [whatnaughty] Going to try, you too!

I am sorry you have a plugged duct Ashlee, I have had those too and they hurt! The Mastitis was actually yucky because of the fever for me. I was so so cold, but it was not as painful as the plugged duct. We can have dirty floors together. ;-)

I hope this time is different for you Kim and the mastitis stays away. [hug]

I still have a sore spot, but I feel pretty good, hoping it does not come back. [thankssign]

Just after I posted here last night I started to get chills!!! I guess I had some degree of mastisis but my fever only got up to 100. I was SO cold though and ACHEY.. my whole body ached. I knew what to do though.. I took 5 raw garlic cloves, drank a ton of water and lyed in bed nursing as much as possible. I also used hot compresses and massaged the area (oh my word that hurt!) By 11pm my fever had broken and chills and aches were gone. I know I'm not out of the woods yet though! I'm going to keep taking raw garlic and drinking lots of fluids. And I'm waking Sydney up every couple of hours to empty my breasts. (I usually feed on demand and she can go a 4 hr stretch sometimes without waking to eat). I still have a sore red spot on my breast. I wonder how long that can last after the infection is cleared up? How long have you been sore Kathaleen?

Oh, I am sorry Ashlee, I hope you are feeling better. I was sore for about 5 days, with a fever the one day. I took the garlic too and vit C. The Midwife gave me pokeroot mixed with castor oil. You rub that on the infection and also put grated or sliced potatoes on top. :lol: I feel good now. I hope yours is all cleared as well. :-)