17 Home Remedies Effective for Mastitis

Mastitis is a condition that affects many breastfeeding mothers. It is characterized by inflammation of the breast tissue, which can lead to pain, swelling, and fever. While medical treatment is available for mastitis, many women prefer to use natural remedies to relieve their symptoms. Home remedies for mastitis include things like applying heat to the affected area, taking warm showers, massaging the breast, and getting plenty of rest. In this article, we will explore 17 effective home remedies that can help alleviate the symptoms of mastitis and promote healing. These remedies are easy to use, safe, and can be made from simple ingredients found in most households. Whether you are looking to supplement medical treatment or prefer a natural approach, these remedies can help you find relief from the discomfort and pain associated with mastitis.

# Ibuprofen

Breastfeeding is quite an intense task. It leaves one with many aches. Ibuprofen is effective in easing pains as well as remedying any fever associated with breast infections. However, only use ibuprofen during breastfeeding with the needed permission from a doctor and it should be used now and again, not continuously.

# Probiotics

Probiotics are a must after the infection ceases to ensure the immune system remains strong and well-enhanced. These can be accessed from tablets, powdered form or from natural sources like yogurt. The probiotics dosage can be three capsules twice a day at first and thereafter one can return to the normal dosage. Yogurt can be eaten as often as liked.

# Massage

Let your infant feed on the infected breast whilst pumping or rubbing the breast. This helps with the secretion of milk and will ease the pain considerably well.

A mastitis rub entails gentle throbbing of the infected portion of the breast. You need to start from the outer circumference of the breast and working your way towards the inner nipple portion.

# Warm Showers

Having a warm shower with the water falling directly on the breasts will lead to milk squirting from the nipples and thus relieve any form of engorgement. The relief provided by the warm water is temporary and does not lead to more milk being produced.

# Skip the Soap

Baths and showers are important but bear in mind not to leave the nipples wet for too long. It is vital to ensure your nipples are not left dry and cracked as well. Using soap on the breasts takes away the natural oils so by avoiding soaps, the skin around the breast area remains well hydrated and not too moist.

# Castor Oil Pack

Castor oil heat packs can help to relieve some of the symptoms of breast infections. To make the castor oil pack, use a wet cloth soaked in warm water and add a couple of drops of castor oil.

The castor oil pack can be placed on the infected breasts while resting on your bed. Thereafter, the area where the castor oil is placed should be covered with a hot water bottle.

The mother should relax for an hour or so and afterward she can cleanse the area with baking soda or a mild soap. It is important to cleanse the castor oil off prior to feeding as the castor oil can cause the baby to have diarrhea.

# Dandelion Compress

Just like the castor oil; a dandelion compress is another option. To make the compress, one can boil the chopped Taraxacum officinale root (dandelion root) in a few cups of water until less of the liquid remains. This remaining liquid can be used to make the compress. Use this compress the same way you would use the castor oil compress.

# Cold Compress

It is beneficial to put ice packs on the breasts in between feeds. Mothers are urged to wear a bra that keeps the packs firm on the breasts. It is advisable to insert a cloth between the ice packs and the breasts to avoid the cold bite of any sort. While ice packs can be frozen vegetables, an alternative is a frozen packet of popcorn seeds. This can help to numb away the pain that is often associated with breast infections.

# Baby’s Gums

When the baby begins teething, there is the tendency for the baby to attempt to teeth on the nipples. A good way to ease the teething related pain, as well as numb the baby’s gums, is by using a frozen wet fabric. Gently rubbing this on the baby’s gums will be helpful. You should also allow the baby to suckle on it before feeding time.

# Drink More Water

As in the case of most infections, water is essential in the remedy processes. The benefit of drinking tons of water is that there will be a constant milk supply and the body will flush out infections quicker. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water a day.

# Rest

Mastitis surely is evidence of an overworked body and therefore, new mothers need the rest. Having prolonged rest periods can speed up recovery time. If possible, have dad or another family member spend more time with the baby so that you can get some much-needed rest.

# Airing the Breasts

If a mother puts her bra on instantly after a feed, it is likely that excess milk will become soaked in the bra’s pad and thus keeps the nipples moist. It’s too much moisture that mothers need to avoid to prevent the breeding of bacteria. This can also eliminate pains and nipple damage. Arising from the above, it is valuable to air the nipples as often as possible.

The go-braless option under a loose top is also a beneficial step. After allowing the baby to suckle and when mums are having a nap after a feed.

# Wear Supportive and Breathable Bras

Bras are an important consideration during breastfeeding. Ensure you stick to wearing a high-quality bra that supports fully but cannot be too tight. A tight bra will cause much pain to the breasts.

Wearing bras made of cotton or soft materials promotes airflow and allows the breasts to be refreshed. Cotton-based bras are likely to be the most comfortable and breathable. Synthetic material bras trap heat making the breasts moist and this can be problematic.

# Feeding Times

Previously, mothers were told to feed at well spaced out times. This approach left babies to be more cranky and mothers had more engorged breasts.Modern doctors advise mothers to feed when babies show signs of hunger and the feed should be prolonged until the baby is full.

The feeding should be so regular that babies can be woken up from naps after four or so hours of feeding. Allowing the baby to sleep in a cot next to the mother’s bed eases the tension of regular feeds.

# Ease the Release

If the baby’s suckling becomes unbearable and you need to remove the baby’s mouth from the breast, go ahead. What you need to do is to place a finger between the baby’s mouth and the breasts. It is rather difficult to pull the baby off the breast while he or she is still sucking. Easing the baby away from the breast can make detaching much less painful, especially if your baby has teeth!

# Use a Breast Pump

Feeding more frequently mostly helps ease the pangs of engorgement. If the breasts still feel hard and retain lots of milk, then the mother may express milk using their hands or a breast pump.

Caution must be taken not to express lots of excess milk as the body is oblivious to the fact that milk is being released using a pump and is not used to fill the baby. As soon as too much milk is released, the body tends to produce more milk to make up for the lost milk. Production of more milk is exactly the thing you trying to avoid when the breasts already ache from the fullness.

# Vitamin C

Pure vitamin C can be used to ease off the symptoms from the infection. This is a healthy nutrient and is not expected to have any side effects on the baby. To use this home remedy, you can either take vitamin C capsules or eat more foods that are rich in vitamin C, like citrus foods.