Mastitis While Breast-Feeding

Symptoms

The symptoms of mastitis most often appear within 4 to 6 weeks after childbirth. Call your health professional today if you develop any of the early symptoms of mastitis.

If you have mastitis, you may first notice:

• A painful area on one breast. It may be reddened, warm to the touch, or both.
• Chills, aches, and flu-like symptoms.
• A temperature of 37.8°C (100°F) or higher.

These initial symptoms may start after you have resolved a blocked milk duct.

Worsening symptoms

As a mastitis infection worsens, you may notice:

• An increased heart rate (more than 100 beats per minute).
• Thick, yellow drainage (pus) coming from the nipple.
• Swollen and tender lymph nodes in your armpit on the same side as the infected breast.

Breast abscess

Occasionally symptoms of mastitis worsen and the breast develops a pocket of pus (abscess) in the infected area. Symptoms of a breast abscess include:

• A breast lump that is hard and painful.
• A reddened area on the breast.
• Worsening of flu-like symptoms.

Thrush infection

Thrush (yeast infection) can occur in your baby's mouth and spread to your nipples, as well as deep in the breast ducts. If you have symptoms of mastitis that are not going away in spite of treatment, pain in the nipple area during and after breast-feeding, sharp breast pain in between feedings, or nipples that look very pink, you may have thrush. This condition can also begin as a sudden onset of pain or burning when breast-feeding has been going well without problems.

If you have thrush symptoms, both your nipples and your baby's mouth should then be checked for thrush. Treatment for thrush requires that both you and your baby be treated, even if your baby doesn't have symptoms. For more information, see the topic Thrush.

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Author:	Amy Fackler, MA Carrie Henley	Last Updated: April 28, 2006
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Liisa Honey, MD, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology
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