In this discussion, Amy shares her recent, more severe experience with mastitis compared to a previous mild blocked duct, describing the sudden onset of pain, systemic symptoms, and the challenges of managing illness while caring for a young child. Candy provides support and up-to-date advice, including the shift from hot/cold compresses to treating mastitis as an inflammatory condition (similar to a sprained ankle), the cautious use of antibiotics, and the importance of rest, hydration, and gentle lymphatic massage. The conversation highlights the uncertainty around when to start antibiotics, the impact of illness on daily life, and the value of personalised, holistic support for lactating parents navigating mastitis.
In this episode of the podcast we talk about:
- Amy describes her lived experience with both a mild blocked duct and a more severe bout of mastitis, including the rapid onset of pain and systemic illness.
- The challenges of recognizing when mastitis requires antibiotics versus when it can be managed with anti-inflammatories, cool compresses, and rest.
- Updated guidelines, emphasizing mastitis as an inflammatory process and recommending rest, hydration, gentle lymphatic massage, and cautious use of antibiotics to avoid unnecessary side effects.
- The difficulty of self-care while parenting, the importance of personalized support, and the need to balance medical advice with individual circumstances.
- Practical tips, such as using cabbage leaves for inflammation, being cautious with massage, monitoring fever, and involving supportive friends or family.
- The value of accessible, holistic support and evidence-based information for lactating parents is highlighted throughout.
Sound bites from this episode:
“Resting is really important – treat it like the flu.”
“I was surprised how ill I felt so immediately.”
“It’s the knowing that a breastfeeding parent is likely prioritizing their baby or toddler’s needs and actually their own needs are getting kind of neglected. So actually by the time often you’ll get to a doctor, you actually might have left it a bit later than you should have as well.”
“It’s really helpful just knowing that it’s an inflammation thing, because it really helps you to just make sense of it in your head.”
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