RE: [ozmidwifery] Mastitis question

[Mary Murphy]

Title: Mastitis question

I usually advise clients to the old adage “heat, rest, empty the breast” plus cabbage leaves plus or minus homeopathic Brauer’s  Antinplex (“anti-inflamation”)  or belladonna 6c. Usually correct positioning and free access to the breast = no mastitis, however some women do have problems and I usually look deeper then.  This has to be handled very carefully and even if I suspect underlying baggage I may not bring it up. MM     Vitamin C (and/or homeopathics) would be my first choice before anitbiotics.   Here's how I heard about it from a friend:   "A trick my midwife taught me for plugged ducts is to up your vitamin c. If you're just getting "sore" - and not a full fledged infection just taking 1000mg for a few days would be enough. If you get an infection take 4000mg of vit c and then 1000 every day for 7 days AFTER the infection is gone. Works beautifully."   And it has worked wonderfully for me. I did take antibiotics (x2) when my 2nd daughter was a couple of weeks old and wish I had known about this then. With my 3rd daughter I used vitamin C only and it cleared it up quickly. Always would flare up on the days I had to walk daughter number 1 to school (overdoing it!).   Cheers, Lea Mason, AAHCC Certified Bradley® Natural Childbirth Educator & Labour Support Professional http://www.birthsteps.com.au     ----- Original Message ----- From: sharon To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 12:24 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Mastitis question   where i work we encourage women to express on the side that they are infected and continue feeding on the other side until the infection clears, the infection should be treated by antibiotics and if severe admission to hospital for iv antibugs. if the breastmilk has blood in it we discourage any breastfeeding whatsoever and get the mother to express all feeds until the infection passes she then can resume b/feeding when she feels better but ensure that the breast is always empty after feeding. regards sharon ----- Original Message ----- From: Megan & Larry To: ozmidwifery Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 10:03 AM Subject: [ozmidwifery] Mastitis question   Can a mother pass on her infecton to her breastfeeding child when she has mastitis? Its just that I had what to me was obvious mastitis on Sat, quite a decent case of it, very sore breast, redness, fever, vomiting, quite ill. Still recovering on Monday when my breastfeeding 22 mth old developed a fever and vomiting. This morning he is quite recovered but no doubt will need a very quiet day still. So, is this a coincidence, or can the child become infected too? We were both rundown form a busy few weeks, so the rest was well needed, just wanted it without the misery. Thanks in advance Megan