Dairy Mastitis: Symptoms, Care and Treatment

Breastfeeding-related mastitis can appear as local tenderness, warmth, swelling, redness, or a firm area. Fever, chills, fatigue, and aches may accompany the breast changes. Inflammation can begin when milk is not draining comfortably, while bacteria can enter through damaged nipple skin. Breast pain is a common presentation of mastitis, but breast pain can also have other causes.

Keep feeding or expressing in a comfortable, normal pattern unless a clinician tells you otherwise. Avoid aggressive massage, tight clothing, and repeated pumping to empty the breast, which can irritate tissue. Cool packs, rest, and pain relief that your clinician confirms is suitable may help. Check attachment and positioning with a lactation consultant when feeding is painful or the same area repeatedly becomes hard.

Get prompt medical advice for fever, spreading redness, worsening swelling, pus, severe pain, or a persistent lump. A clinician may need to distinguish mastitis from an abscess or another breast problem. Seek emergency help if you feel faint, confused, severely weak, or short of breath.

Ask what may have triggered the inflammation, whether an antibiotic is needed, what feeding pattern is appropriate, how to protect sore nipples, and what change should prompt a repeat examination.