Mastitis and breastfeeding factsheet
Introduction
Mastitis is a common infection in the breast tissue that can happen while breastfeeding or expressing milk.
Infection can develop from:
- milk ducts in the breast becoming blocked or inflamed
- breasts becoming overfilled or engorged
- going too long between breastfeeds or stopping suddenly
- bacteria getting into a cut or damage to the nipple.
Mastitis can develop at any time while breastfeeding but is more likely to happen during the first four weeks of your baby's life.
Signs and symptoms
Mastitis is painful, and symptoms can range from mild to severe. You may feel generally unwell, with symptoms including:
- redness and firmness in the breast
- shiny, tight skin on the breast
- fever
- fast heartbeat
- muscle aches and pains
- feeling very tired
- nausea.
Breastmilk is still safe for your baby, even if you have mastitis. You can continue to breastfeed or express milk while having symptoms.
Diagnosis
See your local doctor as soon as possible if you are breastfeeding and notice signs of mastitis, even if they are mild. Early treatment is important to make sure you are healthy and your baby’s feeding is not affected.
In most cases, no tests are needed to diagnose mastitis. However, your doctor may recommend a milk culture or other tests if the condition is severe or keeps returning.
Treatment
It is important to manage mastitis symptoms to ensure you are comfortable and your baby can continue to get enough milk.
You can manage symptoms of mastitis at home by:
- continuing to breastfeed or express to keep milk flowing through the milk ducts
- using a cool pack wrapped in a cloth on the breast to help with swelling
- using gentle massage while feeding or expressing
- wearing loose-fitting clothes and comfortable bras or crop tops with no underwire
- taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to manage pain if needed
- resting
- drinking plenty of fluids.
See your local doctor if symptoms do not improve after 12-14 hours.
Your local doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat mastitis. Antibiotics kill the bacteria causing the infection.
Breast abscess
Untreated mastitis can develop into a breast abscess, a build-up of pus under the skin during an infection. An abscess is painful, and the infection can spread if not treated.
Your doctor can treat a breast abscess with:
- antibiotics
- a needle aspiration – draining out the infected fluid with a needle
- surgery to drain the abscess.
See your local doctor if you have severe symptoms or think you may have an abscess.
Management
Preventing mastitis
To help prevent mastitis and keep you and your baby healthy:
- breastfeed or express regularly, following your baby’s routine
- make sure your baby is latching correctly while breastfeeding to avoid nipple damage
- try not to miss or delay feeds where possible to avoid breasts overfilling
- express regularly if you are unable to breastfeed directly
- offer both breasts at each feed
- hand express milk after feeds if breasts still feel full or uncomfortable
- make sure your baby is latching well
- treat sore or damaged nipples right away
- rest and drink plenty of fluids
- wear loose, comfortable clothing and bras or crop tops with no underwire.
If you need help or your baby is struggling with breastfeeding, get support from your local child and family health nurse, doctor, midwife or lactation consultant.
Feeding your baby during mastitis
If you have mastitis, it is important to continue breastfeeding or expressing milk. This helps manage the infection and ensures your baby stays healthy and fed.
Mastitis won’t harm your baby, and breastmilk can help protect them from infections.
Mastitis can cause swelling in the milk ducts, affecting your milk supply and making it harder for milk to flow.
Make sure you are comfortable and managing any pain while feeding. Talk to your doctor or nurse about different positions to help you and your baby.
If breastfeeding is difficult, try to express milk regularly to maintain your supply.
Monitor your baby’s feeding and the number of wet nappies they have each day to ensure they’re getting enough milk.
Contact your doctor or nurse for support if you notice any changes or are worried.
