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Bridget
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I have a young mom friend who has recurring mastitis. She is toddler nursing her third child. Her husband asked my husband if I knew any tips to prevent mastitis but it's not something I have much experience with. I can find several threads about curing it, but not much info on prevention. Any tips on prevention? Thanks!
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Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
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Lisbet
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Bridget, one of the first things I think of when I think of recurring mastitis is taking a look at what kind of bra/underclothing mom is wearing - also if she is using any kind of sling/carrier. Oftentimes this is the culprit and few think a thing about it. Plenty of water, various nursing positions also help.
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Bridget
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Thanks Lisa, I am going to call her later today after I have had time to assemble a few ideas.
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Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
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JodieLyn
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yes that was my first thought too, Lisa
and I think my midwife has also mentioned using cranberry.. that it helps change your ph and that can help keep the infections at bay.. it's a little vague because I just have rarely dealt with it.
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KackyK
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I usually get several cases too when nursing. I went through all the things I do with my CAtholic OB one time, and he decided that this must just be the cross I bear as nothing was coming up as preventative. Not much help heh? But just to say too, that sometimes I guess (this is what he told me) some ladies can be more prone to it.
But also I so second cranberry juice. That, warm compresses, never stop nursing, more water than you can imagine (I kept a large glass in the bathroom, every time I went I would immediately down another large glass, kept the cycle going  ) and tylenol too would usually do it's trick so I wouldn't have to go to the doctor's.
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Mackfam
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I had such trouble with Mastitis with my 2nd and 3rd guys...with Katie I paid close attention to undergarment fit and my carrier (just as Lisa spoke of). I was using a Baby Bjorn with my boys, and I'm thinking it was the cause of some of my troubles. I switched to a combination of Moby/sling/Ergo carrier after recommendations here. Thanks be to God I did not suffer from Mastitis with this baby. So...I'd second or third the recommendations to look closely at fit of undergarments and how the carrier fits the upper body.
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MaryM
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As has been suggested looking to see if there is a pattern with locaiton and if it relates to that area being constricted regularly (tight bra, purse/diaper bag strap, carrier, sleeping on stomach, baby's hand arm pressing area when nursing). If noted eliminating constriction will help.
It can also be a factor of not completely recovering from previous mastitis. May need more specific antibiotic treatment to target.
Generally a mom whose immune system is challenged is very suscetible to mastitis. So any general immune boosting supplements are beneficial. Having iron levels checked is important. Anemia can lead to increased infection, therefore mastitis.
Women with allergies may be more susceptible as well and keeping thos e in check seems to help.
Many woman have been helped to prevent recurrant plugged ducts/mastitis by taking a daily supplement of lecithin.
From Kellymom.com:
"The usual recommended dosage for recurrent plugged ducts is 3600-4800 mg lecithin per day, or 1 capsule (1200 milligram) 3-4 times per day. After a week or two with no blockage, mom can reduce the dosage by one capsule. If there is no blockage within another 2 weeks she can reduce it again by one. Mom may need to continue taking 1-2 capsules per day if stopping the lecithin leads to additional plugged ducts."
Kellymom has a nice listing of suggestions for preventing recurrent mastitis - here
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Bridget
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Thank you for all the help ladies. I spoke to the mom yesterday and I think there was a lot of information she was not aware of, so hopefully we helped her. She is such a good, sweet, mom.
You are the best!
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Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
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StephanieA
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I have dealt with mastitis from the first child, but #8 was the worst. I had it off, but mostly on for the length of 1.5 years. I am very aware of EVERYTHING to prevent mastitis. Lethicin, vitamin Bs, etc., etc. off of Kelly's mom and from my doctor, like tight bras, etc. BUT....the real kicker was that I was simply cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, etc. for a housefull of people. I finally had to hire a cook for 6 months which seems crazy. We ate A LOT of lentil bean soup which she loved to fix....gulp. I will never look at that soup again in the same way 
I went nearly NO where. I was confined to the house, and for 2 months....not even church, I was that sick.
With this pregnancy I am going to try to boost my immune system early on. I hope it will help to some degree. However, I do think that overall it is my cross to bear. No amount of antibiotics will cure whatever is my defenciency. I exercise, eat pretty decently, and don't have allergies to speak of, but a seasonal allergy in August some years. This is not to depress your friend , but sometimes mastitis just can't be cured, but only suffered through....literally.
But, I would try everything first and boost the immune system to any degree she can. I went as far as to buy the highly touted, but controversial Juice Plus off Ebay....a 4 month supply which I am going to stretch to 8 months. We'll see.Sleep is essential. We will slow school down to a literal crawl after this baby is born, so we are having a full fall semester. She may need to do the same for a few months until her system is back on track.
Blessings,
Stephanie
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4Real Forums : Our Lady of Good Remedy and Care
Topic: Preventing Mastitis
