7 Best Remedies Effective For Breast Infection

The joys of being a new breastfeeding mother are often accompanied with bleeding nipples and nipple cracks. These cracks can be the cause of a more painful breast infection called mastitis. Mastitis can cause immense pain and is sometimes curable with the use of antibiotics.

If you contract mastitis, you may suffer from one or all of the symptoms. The notable point about mastitis is that this pain can be due to a blocked milk duct. Simply having a blocked milk duct is not the same as having mastitis. A bump on the flesh of the breast marks one of the signs of a clogged duct.

The other signs are that the duct is also sensitive to finger touch and fever is to be expected. A blocked duct can simply be resolved by placing a heat pack on the breast prior to feeding or allowing the infant to feed on the infected breast. Unlike with mastitis, a blocked breast duct heals within a day of contraction.

# 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.

# 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.