This is my third time for having mastitis...but I have never caught it early! And this time I have....I think! I'm doing warm compresses, garlic and tons of water and after I process the applesauce...rest! I don't want to be on antibiotics ONCE again! Is there any other natural measures I can take to combat this?

I think resting is the key. Lay down, or sit and put your feet up and let go of your to-do list. Continue to nurse your babe on demand and sleep when the baby sleeps (if you can and don't have older children).

Some other thoughts:

try massaging the breast, take off your bra and any restrictive clothing on the breast, be sure the latch is well positioned when the baby is nursing.

Also, you might want to take a look at why you are getting recurrent mastitis. Too much stress? Missing nursing sessions? Poor latch? It could be any number of things.

Having mastitis stinks, but resting was truly the only way I got over it completely. I didn't take the med because I caught it early enough.

Good luck to you mama,
Get some rest!
Kaight

check kellymom.com she has a homeopathic remedy listed that did wonders for me!

do you wear bravado bras?? I got mastitis twice when I switched to bravado bras exclusively. When I got rid of them all after the second bout, I never got mastitis again.

Originally posted by TipToe Fairy
do you wear bravado bras?? I got mastitis twice when I switched to bravado bras exclusively. When I got rid of them all after the second bout, I never got mastitis again.

Oh my gosh! I was wearing my bravado bra that first week when I got mastitis. Wierd! I got homeopathic stuff from my ND and my temp kept climbing and I kept feeling worse and worse. I ended up taking antibiotics, hopefully you won't have to. I really wish the other stuff worked for me that time.

Well - I feel for you. I've got mastitis also and am finally on antibiotics after fighting clogged ducts for a month. I had to forget about putting up food for our freezer this year. Which make me sad. So yes - rest and nurse. Don't do applesauce.

Originally posted by TipToe Fairy
do you wear bravado bras?? I got mastitis twice when I switched to bravado bras exclusively. When I got rid of them all after the second bout, I never got mastitis again.

That was part of my problem. I was actually sensitive enough I had to have 3-4 styles and alternate every blessed day. I was having plugs every 4 days for 1.5 mo.

I did do the applesauce! I couldn't help myself! But it's done and here I sit with a nice warm compress! I've been chugging odwallas and water and garlic cloves. I will check out that site...and then get some rest...I'm terrible at sitting still when I should! I don't wear Bravados they never fit me well, but I did take the bra off and that feels better...( why didn't I do that earlier?) I'm feeling okay, tired and a little headachey. Last time it progressed SO quickly I think my body has a better chance to fight it off this time! Thanks All!

oh, one other litte tip... disclaimer first, I'm not a HCP, so check with your dr about an OTC pain reliever. My 2nd bout of mastitis, I finally thought of taking an anti-inflamatory pain reliever. my doc never mentioned it, just antibiotics. But it came down to something to help me feel more comfortable.

I know you don't want to do antibiotics again, but please be very careful and if it doesn't improve in a day, or your temp starts to rise, call your doctor. I had a secondary infection that became cellulitus very quickly and I almost ended up in the hospital. You might need a different or stronger antibiotic to completely get rid of the infection.
Get rest, nurse, nurse, nurse and warm compresses.

CABBAGE! This is what my midwife told me and it works. Just take a cold cabbage leaf and put it on the affected area. Aaaaaaahhhh....... relief! If I ever felt mastitis coming on, I'd put a whole cabbage leaf right in my bra, all around the breast. I don't know how it works, but it DOES!

Good luck. Mastitis is the worst!