What should you know about mastitis nursing?

Mastitis is inflammation of breast tissue during lactation. Milk stasis, swelling around ducts, nipple damage, or bacterial infection may contribute. The breast can feel painful, hot, firm or heavy, and the skin may become red. Fever, chills and fatigue can occur. A painful breast is not proof of one specific cause, so persistent or severe symptoms should be reviewed.

Pain with feeding may also reflect latch or positioning problems. Painful Breastfeeding covers that symptom, while a Lactation Consultation can help assess milk transfer and feeding technique.

Continue nursing or expressing in a comfortable, normal pattern if you can; abrupt over-pumping or trying to empty the breast forcefully can increase swelling. Feed according to your baby’s cues, check that the latch is comfortable, rest, drink fluids, and use a supportive bra. A cool pack after feeds may reduce swelling. Gentle handling is preferable to deep massage.

Ask a clinician or lactation professional about pain relief and whether antibiotics are needed. Seek tailored advice if you are pregnant, have medicine allergies, or your baby is unwell or unable to feed.

Contact a clinician promptly if fever or breast symptoms are worsening, you feel increasingly unwell, or the problem is not improving with supportive care. Seek urgent help for severe pain, rapidly spreading redness, faintness, confusion, or shaking chills. A persistent soft or fluctuant swelling may be an abscess and needs examination.

Ask whether your latch or feeding pattern needs adjustment, whether you should continue nursing, which pain relief is compatible with your situation, and how an abscess would be recognised. Ask when to return if fever, redness, or a lump continues.