KellyMom mastitis information: what to know

Mastitis may affect one part of the breast and cause pain, heat, redness, swelling or a firm area. Some people feel feverish, tired or achy. Inflammation can follow milk stasis, pressure on the breast, a missed feed or damage around the nipple, although infection can also develop. Breast pain and painful breastfeeding can have causes other than mastitis, so an examination is useful when the pattern is unclear. Mastitis does not usually mean you must stop breastfeeding; milk removal is generally continued in a way that feels manageable.

Rest, drink to thirst and use a comfortable bra that does not compress the breast. Continue feeding or expressing according to your baby's usual needs, without trying to completely empty the breast or using forceful massage. A cool pack wrapped in cloth may ease swelling, and suitable pain relief can be discussed with a pharmacist or clinician, particularly if you are pregnant, have allergies or take other medicines. A lactation consultation can review latch, positioning and feeding frequency. A clinician may recommend treatment when bacterial infection is suspected.

Contact a clinician promptly if you feel very unwell, have a high fever, rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, pus or a soft area that may contain an abscess. Arrange review if symptoms are not clearly improving after supportive care or return after treatment. Urgent help is appropriate for confusion, faintness, breathing trouble or signs of severe illness. A breast lump that persists after inflammation settles also needs assessment.

Ask whether your symptoms fit inflammatory or infectious mastitis, whether you can continue breastfeeding, which pain relief is compatible with feeding, and how to recognise an abscess. You can also ask for a feeding assessment and a clear timeframe for follow-up.