Mastitis is a painful breast infection that results from a blocked duct. It usually happens in breastfeeding women, especially during the first 3 months of nursing.
Women who have had mastitis before and those with weakened immune systems are also more prone to getting it. In rare cases, mastitis occurs in women who have not recently given birth or are breastfeeding, and it may even happen post-menopause.
Signs of mastitis
The first sign of mastitis is usually a painful area in one breast that feels warm to the touch and appears red.
An infection causes the breast to become hot, swollen, red and painful as it progresses. Aches, chills and fever may be additional symptoms of mastitis, and the condition is sometimes mistaken for the flu.
Untreated mastitis can affect lymph nodes beneath the arm on the side of the infected breast and an abscess can develop.
Antibiotics are the western solutions, which isn't great for breastfeeding moms and their babies. Fortunately, mastitis usually responds well to natural remedies. I recommend doing all or most of the following if you develop a breast infection or blocked duct…
Natural remedies for mastitis
Hydrate – It's very important to drink plenty of fluids to recover from mastitis. Ten to twelve glasses of water should be consumed a day to maintain milk supply and support proper body functioning and healing.
Continue Breastfeeding – No matter how tempted you may be to stop breastfeeding while you have a breast infection, don't. Mastitis does not affect baby's health, and it is one of the best natural remedies for mastitis. In order to heal, your breasts must be emptied either through nursing or pumping. Nursing in different positions may make breastfeeding more comfortable and help speed your recovery.
Heat and massage – Gently massaging the breasts can help prevent milk ducts from becoming plugged and worsening mastitis. Massage breasts toward the nipple under hot running water. This may not feel comfortable at the time, but it will help promote healing.
Frozen, raw cabbage leaves as a poultice – The coolness can reduce pain and inflammation, while the cabbage leaves are said to draw out the infection. Try resting with this remedy after massaging in a hot shower. The leaves should be replaced when they reach room temperature.
Acupuncture – Oriental medicine typically views mastitis as an accumulation of toxic heat. Acupuncture can help clear the heat and toxicity while treating any underlying imbalance that may be causing or contributing to the condition.
Herbs – Buy a ready-made herbal tincture to treat mastitis. I like Happy Ducts by Wish Garden, or see your herbalist for a customized formula perfect for you.
Homeopathy
- Phytolacca – The most commonly used homeopathic remedy to treat mastitis, especially for cracked nipples and blocked milk ducts when there is heat, pain, and possible flu symptoms
- Belladonna – Use when there is heat, throbbing and redness; the pain is worse for any sudden jarring; there may be a red streak from the site of the inflammation.
- Bryonia – Use when there is dryness and the breasts feel heavy, painful and hard, and are worse for any type of movement. There is often constipation, dry lips and extreme thirst. There may be insufficient milk (dryness).
- Lac Caninum – Use when symptoms alternate sides. The mother may suffer from low self-esteem.
- Graphites – For cracked and sore nipples with small blisters
- Pulsatilla – Useful for sore nipples especially when mom is weepy and needs lots of affection. Generally the mother feels no thirst.
How to prevent mastitis
Empty breasts – Making sure breasts are emptied of milk as completely as possible during feeds is one way to prevent mastitis. Use a pump if your baby is not feeding well for even a short period of time.
Avoiding nipple cracking and irritation by insuring that baby latches on to the breast and is positioned properly for feeding. If you are unsure, consult with a certified lactation consultant immediately.
Keep it loose – Tight fitting clothing, including underwire bras, can contribute to or exacerbate a clogged duct.
Be well! Get plenty of rest, stay hydrated; healthy eating can prevent breast infections as well as promote quick recovery. The healthier you are, the less susceptible you will be to any illness, including mastitis. If you suspect the beginnings of a blocked duct, begin treatment right away to prevent a full-blown infection.
What natural remedies for mastitis and blocked ducts have worked for you? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.
I have to say that grated potato was amazing for me. I thought it was nonsense but I was so miserable standing in the shower expressing, that I gave it a try. I just put grated potatoes on my breasts (inside my nursing bra). Turns everything black but the pain relief was divine.
Having had mastitis with all 4 of my nursing babies, I have researched this topic fairly extensively. Just wanted to note that heat is not always recommended. I wish I had the website to reference, but if you feel you must use heat, stand w/your back to the shower, not your front. Additionally, I could not agree more w/the cabbage leaves & potato. The best way, in my experience, to use cabbage leaves, is to crush them w/a rolling pin & place in your bra, on the area of redness/pain. Once they have wilted, replace w/new ones. Be sure the cabbage leaves do not come in contact w/any open sores or cracked areas. Also, I have found taking a lot of probiotics is especially helpful. Great article!
Hi Renee, thanks and thank you for the extra tips you’ve shared for our readers!
Taking lecithin (non gmo sunflower, not soy) has really helped me with recurrent plugged ducts with my second child. It’s the only natural remedy that has done anything to help, actually.
and if these ‘remedies’ don’t work please be sure to see your professional for anti biotics. I was seeing my ob gyn, 2 lactation consultants, various midwives, GPs and even a physiotherapist to physically ‘milk’ me. All these experts also advised against anti biotics and told me to continue feeding, use cabbage leaves, hydrate etc. I ended up being rushed to a general surgeon who took one look and admitted me for surgery to drain the huge abcess. He said I was very lucky I didn’t lose my breast. In fact he had only seen 1 worse case and they had lost their breast. He drained 1 litre of infected puss. He said he had never seen anything like it and with the pressure when he cut into my breast the fluid hit the ceiling. I woke up feeling a gazillion times better and so relieved. I now have 2 large scars on my breast and require corrective surgery as my breast is not shaped properly.
Wish I had the anti biotics
Last night I had a really hard lump that seemed to be half of my left breast– felt like i had a lumpy brick in there and nothing was going to help. This happened about twice before (my baby is 3 months now) and a hot pack applied to the area for some time, then having him feed, fixed it. (i kept it on while feeding him trying to hold it more by my armpit away from his face– though his cheek did warm up a little much). This time it was at night and he was sleeping.. I warmed it up so much with an electric heat pad, tried pumping (nothing), hand expressing ( nothing), massaging the painful “brick” for what seemed like forever and kept trying to hand express and pump (nothing). I was frustrated and scared– felt like nothing was going to do it. I took a bath even though I just took one that evening-and tried the above in the bath (nothing). Hand shower (nothing). I gave up and and was going to go back to sleep knowing it can worsen, and my little guy woke up as if I knew he needed me. I warmed it a little longer on the heating pad real quick and attached him on. My little hero fixed it within a minute– it was such a relief to feel the brick diminish and empty out… SO– the only thing that’s ever worked for me was the baby sucking on it– never a pump or hand expressing. I guess they’re just so much better at it. I hope I’m never out of town when that happens.
My baby is 3 months and I currently have mastitis ???? Started with bad body aches and chills and high fever, I felt so miserable I didn’t think it could be mastitis, but looking back my husband made a comment that my breast was warm, should of been a clue there. Considering I had it in the right Breast the week before(but not as bad as this time) I haven’t felt this awful since after I had my c section. I’ve been putting warm compress, massaging, using cabbage since yesterday. I finally get a decent nignts sleep, my fever finally broke. I really want this to go away soon, I don’t want to have to be out on antibiotics. I’d rather cure this naturally. Does the potato thing really work? I’m willing to try anything natural! Also does the cabbage have to be frozen? Im using raw cabbage and rinsing it with cold water. Is it better if it’s frozen ???? Also I have been continuing to nurse on the infected breast(left). We’re going on an hour now????