What to do if mastitis becomes suppurative during lactation

What should I do if mastitis becomes suppurative during lactation?

Mastitis suppuration during lactation requires active treatment through incision and drainage. Antibiotics are used to control infection after pus discharge, which can effectively improve discomfort symptoms. During the treatment process, to ensure the normal secretion of milk, it is necessary to use a breast pump or massage to empty the breasts in time. Usually, breast cleaning and care should be done to avoid infection. A light diet and adequate sleep are conducive to the body's recovery as soon as possible.

1. Active treatment

Mastitis is the most common disease in lactating women. Most cases are caused by bacterial infection and are generally better with timely treatment. Improper treatment of mastitis may develop into suppurative mastitis, which is manifested by local fever, obvious tenderness, and pus on puncture examination. The treatment of suppurative mastitis requires incision and drainage, and antibiotics are used to control the infection after the internal pus is discharged. During this period, breastfeeding should be suspended, and physical therapy such as local hot compress or massage should be used to promote recovery.

2. Empty your breasts

The occurrence of mastitis is mainly related to milk stasis. After mastitis becomes purulent, you still need to keep the milk secretion unobstructed. You can gently massage the breasts to discharge excess milk, or use a breast pump to suck out excess milk to improve the symptoms of mastitis. If the breast blockage is very serious, you need to go to the hospital to seek help from professionals to avoid aggravating the symptoms.

3. Breast care

When breastfeeding, you should adopt the correct breastfeeding posture, observe the baby's breastfeeding situation, and be careful not to let the baby hold the nipple alone to avoid nipple cracking and infection. During the lactation period, you should clean the breasts regularly and arrange the lactation time reasonably to avoid milk accumulation and mastitis.

4. Eat a healthy diet and get enough rest

Mastitis can cause great pain to breastfeeding mothers. During the treatment process, the diet should be light and less greasy food should be eaten. At the same time, adequate sleep should be ensured. Breastfeeding at night will affect rest. You can take a rest when your baby is sleeping during the day, which will have unexpected benefits for your health.