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Every breastfeeding mother knows about the dreaded “M” word. But women who have never breastfed and most men have no idea what it is. I was plagued by it twice with my son and so far three times with my daughter. With the most recent being this past week! Monday while at work, my left breast started to feel like it might explode. I started feeling like I was ran over by a truck and had extreme chills. When I took my temperature I had 101 degree fever.

What I’m talking about is mastitis. Mastitis is an infection in one or both breasts caused by not completely draining (clogged duct) or from a bacteria that has entered the breast. Breast tissue is a network of lobules (small round sacs that produce milk) and ducts (canals that carry milk from the lobules to the nipple openings during breastfeeding) in a pattern that looks like bunches of grapes. These “bunches” are called lobes.

Symptoms can vary from female to female. Most women can experience: fever and chills, pain in the affected breast, headache, hard lumps in breast, red streaking in breast, pain while nursing and/or pain on palpation. In more severe cases you can get stringy milk that is expressed. Milk that is expressed can taste slightly different in the affected breast, so baby may not want to nurse as well. If that is the case then pumping will be fine.( A nursing baby drains the breast more effectively than a pump can.)

Mastitis is usually in breastfeeding females. Although, mastitis can occur in anyone. The common treatment for mastitis is antibiotics and heat compresses. The use of antibiotics is WAY over used in todays society. If you can treat something without antibiotics, thats what I would do!

My Protocol for Mastitis.

After seeing the rest of our patients for the day, I used ultrasound on both breasts. (I didn’t know if both had been affected, as they were both hurting.) When I got home I used my heat compresses on both breasts. The heating source I use is a microwavable gel pack. I found it when I was pregnant this last time. (Although I wish I would have had it with my son, because they are amazing!!) Along with nursing and pumping as much as possible. Also, I made sure I was getting enough water. When you nurse as much as you need to, you will need to rehydrate!

Tuesday I woke up with a 103 degree temperature. (No Bueno!) So I skipped work! (Skipping work is not something I like to do. Yes, I am a workaholic.) I laid in bed almost all day nursing and napping. With the only exception of running up to the office to use ultrasound again. By Wednesday morning, I felt so much better and was able to actually function. (And go to work!) This was the third and last time I used ultrasound. As by Thursday, my mastitis was completely gone.

Some Fun Facts About Breastfeeding

1. When you breastfeed, the  breast can actually detect the  baby’s temperature and cool down or warm up mama’s milk to correct it.
2. Almost 75% of moms produce more milk in their right breast.
3. Breastfeeding reduces mama’s risk of ovarian and breast cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis.  The longer she breastfeeds, the higher the benefit.
4. Breastfed babies can smell and detect their mother, just by smelling their milk.
5. Breasts can detect if baby is getting sick and produce antibodies to help fight off colds or illness for baby.
6. Breastmilk can be used on a whole variety of things; pink eye, ear infections, clear up acne, clear up diaper rash, mosquito bites, or rashes.
7. New research is suggesting that breastmilk can kill cancer cells and doctors have been giving breastmilk to patients for their treatment plans.
8. Breastfed babies have fewer allergies than formula fed babies.

Chiropractic helps

Chiropractic helps mastitis by using ultrasound, which is therapeutic heat, by unclogging the duct. Along with ultrasound, there are adjustments that can help. T3 through T5 (which is in your upper back) nerves are responsible for the breasts. Adjusting these segments of the spine will help with nerve innervation to the breasts, which helps heal and can help with milk production. So if you are having problems producing milk, chiropractic can also help the body function properly to allow the production of milk.

If you have mastitis, think about trying chiropractic care before going to fill that prescription for antibiotics. Everything we put in our body can get in breast milk and affect baby. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want my littles getting extra doses of antibiotics for no reason. When it is absolutely necessary, that’s the route I go. Although, I would rather try a more natural approach before I break down and fill that prescription.

~Dr. Lacey~
Carder Chiropractic Clinic, Inc.
El Reno, OK 73036