Mastitis at One Year Nursing - How Can I Prevent a Recurrence?

I had a similar situation at 12 months, no problems until then, and then I would get a clogged duct about every other week. I think it could be to the more erratic schedule, as that is when we partially weaned as well, the breasts are not emptied as often or as regularly. What helped me was to make sure I had lots and lots of fluids, as I have a tendency to forget to drink during the day. When it would occur, I would use a sock full of rice and heat it in the microwave to help soften the clog, and then just let my daughter nurse like crazy on the clogged side. I never ended up with mastitis, but it took a few weeks before my breasts figured out what to do and now at 25 months my daughter still nurses once at naptime and at bedtime and in the night. We partially cosleep as well, and this works for us. My milk just lets down when she is ready to nurse, and I don't get engorged if I miss her naptime when she's out with Grandma. I hope this helps somewhat, as it sounds like you might have a similar situation.

Edited to add:
Don't worry about the judgmental post down below, your child will not be sleeping with you when he's 12, and children are not all the same, some need to eat at night. Just like some adults do. This same person gave someone else advice that said to give a one year old 2% milk, even though everything I've read from APA etc. says whole milk till they're 2 years old, then low fat. You're doing a great job raising YOUR child. I think you are teaching him that you care enough to do what's best for him.

First of all, get that child out of your bed now or he will still be there at 12. I am not kidding. It is much easier to do it now rather than later. By 1 year old, there should be no nursing or feeding of any kind during the night. He should be sleeping through the night on his own. Remember that our children learn what we teach them and you are teaching him that Mom is a human milk machine and that he isn't capable of sleeping on his own. It might seem fine now but it is not.

I know this seems harsh but listen to your own body - the mastisis happened for a reason.

Please remember that by a child's first birthday, a child's immune system is formed from all of the breast milk that you have wonderfully given him. More is not better in this case. Please question as to why YOU want to still nurse and do co-sleeping. Also , don't neglect your husband during this time. If your child is co-sleeping, your time alone with your husband is neglected and I'm not necessarly talking about sex. I am talking about cuddling and spooning which is a great thing for both of you - that safe place to go at the end of the day where it is just the two of you.

Take good care and blessings to you - +B+

It seems like mastitis generally occurs in the breast the baby favors...not positive, but I beleive because it gets over full. If your breast(s) feels too full in between pumping or feedings, pump off just a little (hand pump is convenient) to releive the pressure and keep the ducts clear.

If you begin to feel soreness, fill a rice bowl or other small deep bowl with very warm water and a few teaspoons of salt; mix well to dilute. Put the bowl on the edge of the kitchen counter, lean over and soak the affected breast for a couple minutes until the water cools. This works VERY well to unclog the milk ducts if you are getting mastitis. Since you are working, try to do it before and after work each day...should clear up symptoms quickly. I got this tip from a Lactation Specialist and only had to soak about three times before it cleared the ducts.

Hope this helps!

It's most likely due to you suddenly stopping to pump during the day. I have exclusively pumped for my 4 mos year old. The first 8 weeks I had 3 cases of mastitis (one of those cases included 2 extra flare ups while on antibiotics!!). Pretty much I figured I was getting mastitis whenever my pumping got thrown off and I was stressed/fatigued.

Since then, I have prevented it by really paying attention to any signs of plugged ducts or any thickening patches on a breast. A plugged duct or area can quickly become mastitis.

Whenever I feel a lump or thickened area, I really massage it during pumping. I also push from behind it, through it and past it towards the nipple. As others mentioned heat really helps too. In shower I'd massage as I ran hot water over breast. If I had a really bad plugged duct that was hurting a lot, I would keep a heating pad on my breast at night (...if your baby isn't sleeping right next to you). Ideally after the shower or heat, nurse or pump to help draw the plug out.

My doctor has warned me that if I ever decided to stop pumping, I would need to cut down slowly or I'd be likely to get mastitis again. She also said that a baby is the most efficient pump, i.e., better than an electric pump.

You might want to continue doing a couple short pumps during the day. And be sure to check your breasts frequently. I also supplemented with lecithin.

Kellymom has a great article that I referenced
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html

Dr. Sears
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T022100.asp

Pumping Station
http://www.pumpstation.com/pumpstation/dept.asp?dept_id=3281

La Leche League
http://www.llli.org/FAQ/mastitis.html

Hi T.,

I am nursing my 2nd child (she is about 8 weeks) and last week I got mastitis in my right breast (my fav side). My doctor said that you are vulnerable to mastitis when you begin weaning, when you have a hx of mastitis, or when you make changes in breastfeeding routine. (I had JUST started nursing on one side per session after routinely doing 5 or 10 mins per side per session.)

She said that the way to prevent it happening again is take hot showers and use a washcloth on your breast, massage the breast, nurse beginning on the side with mastitis for five mins and then go to the other breast... emptying both breasts if possible.

She said that pumps are best at emptying breasts. That might be part of the reason for your infection... the fact that you stopped pumping.

anyway... hope that helps. I know you hope to wean... good luck!

Baby can have more solids now and even cow's milk, so you can start filling him up, that way you don't have to nurse at night.

From what I know mastitis happens from cracking and from glands closing up and causing lumps (painful and itchy).

You might want to give your breasts a break and some time to heal (like overnight). Keep them clean and maybe give yourself a break from wearing a bra or tight clothing for a night. Put a towel under you so that you don't leak into your mattress and give your body time to heal.

Also if you feel a lump starting, massage it and put hot presses on it so that the milk can release and you can get some relief. Lanolin helps keep the skin soft too and is safe for baby to ingest. That way you can avoid cracking and causing infection on your nipples.

Good luck! :-)

PREVENTING MASTITIS
The best way to prevent mastitis is to avoid the situations that set you up for it.

Relieve engorgement promptly. Milk that doesn't flow gets thicker and clogs the ducts, which is a set-up for mastitis.
Breastfeed frequently. Don't restrict the length of feedings.
If you feel your breasts getting full, encourage your baby to nurse. You don't have to wait for baby to tell you he's hungry.
Avoid sleeping on your stomach or so far over on your side that your breasts are compressed against the mattress.
Take care of yourself and get plenty of rest (both of mind and body
Pat in san jose,ca

It could be because of an abrupt stop to pumping, but it could be something else too. Often times masitits occurs when colds and other viruses are going around. Has anyone in your house been sick?
Sometimes taking a supplemental lecithin tablet daily can help prevent mastitis if it was caused by a plugged duct.