This breast problem occurs when bacteria from the infant’s mouth enter any milk duct through a small crack in your nipple. This cause painful inflammation and infection of the breast. It commonly occurs two to three months after delivery.
Symptoms of this problem include swollen, red, tender, hot and painful breast definite. Some doctors are able to pinpoint an exact area of inflammation. Breastfeeding mothers feel tired, achy or think that they are suffering from flu. You feel feverish and your temperature is higher than normal. Bleeding or cracked nipples and missed feeding are some of the other symptoms of mastitis.
You can prevent breast infection and inflammation (mastitis) in the following way:
Breastfeed frequently. Do not restrict length of feedings. Don’t sleep on your stomach. Take plenty of rest. You can also gently massage the infected area. This will increase circulation and help to loosen plugged ducts in the infected area.
Women’s milk contain important immunological factors which protect their breast from infection and is also helpful in protecting infants from infection.
Higher sodium concentration in a woman’s milk is indicative of mastitis. Higher sodium content is associated with increase in levels of inflammatory and immunological factors in a woman’s milk.
Woman who are suffering from AIDS are more susceptible to this breast problem as their immune system is badly damaged. A weakened immune system is vulnerable to breast infection and inflammation (mastitis).
