What should you know about infant mastitis treatment?

Infant mastitis is inflammation or infection of breast tissue in a baby. It can cause redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness or discharge near the nipple. Newborn breast swelling can also occur from normal hormone changes, but infection is more concerning when one side becomes increasingly red, painful or swollen, or when the baby seems unwell.

Do not squeeze the breast, massage the swelling or try to express fluid. Pressure can injure delicate tissue and worsen inflammation. A clinician will examine the baby and decide whether antibiotics, testing or observation is appropriate.

Arrange same-day medical advice for a suspected infection and give prescribed medicine exactly as directed. Keep the area clean and dry, dress the baby in loose clothing, and monitor feeding, wet nappies, temperature and behaviour. Do not apply creams, heat or home remedies unless the clinician advises them.

If breastfeeding is painful or the concern is actually in the parent’s breast, a lactation consultation can help assess attachment and milk transfer.

Seek urgent care if the baby has a fever, is unusually sleepy, feeds poorly, vomits repeatedly, has fewer wet nappies, develops rapidly spreading redness, or appears pale, floppy or difficult to wake. A baby who is struggling to breathe or cannot be roused needs emergency help.

Ask whether the swelling looks like normal newborn breast tissue or infection, whether antibiotics are needed, how quickly improvement should begin, and which changes require review. Confirm how to give each medicine and when follow-up will occur.