Recurrent Mastitis, Herpangina and Tandem Nursing (Mom to Mom #10)
August 19, 2007 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under Mom-to-Mom, breastfeeding, health of the baby, health of the mother, tandem nursing
Today’s Mom-to-Mom breastfeeding question comes from a mother battling recurrent mastitis. She writes:
Q: “Hi, I’m hoping that you, or someone you know can help. I’m a tandem nursing mom to my 2 1/2 year old and my 12 week old. I never had any nursing issues or problems with my first. I am currently suffering from mastitis for the second time in 4 weeks! On top of that, my 2 year old was just diagnosed with Herpangina (a form of Hand, Foot, and Mouth) virus. I guess it’s very contagious by saliva and I’m praying that my 12 week old doesn’t get it. My pediatrician completely frowns on tandem nursing, so I kind of left this little detail out when we just saw her for my son’s herpangina.
When he started getting sick, I immediately started cleaning my breasts/nipples after he nursed to protect the baby. My OB said that actually cleaning the nipple could cause mastitis!?
Did I actually cause the mastitis this second time? How can I protect my infant from the Herpangina? What am I doing wrong this time to get Mastitis twice since I never got it with my first child? What can I do differently to avoid getting it again? Thank you so much for any advice you can give!”
A: First off, congratulations on your 12-week-old! I’m sorry to hear you have endured repeated bouts of mastitis this time around. Mastitis can be very debilitating and has a nasty way of kicking you when you’re already down. You should be very proud of yourself for working through both cases and continuing to tandem nurse.
Recurrent Mastitis
Let’s address each of your questions separately. Did you cause the second bout of mastitis? It’s true that mothers are generally advised not to wash their nipples with soap because the soap can remove essential oils from the surface of the breast. I doubt though that washing your nipples caused the second bout of mastitis. When a case of mastitis comes closely on the heels of a previous bout of mastitis, it’s likely that the first case never really went away and the “second case” is really just a second flaring-up of the first. When battling mastitis, it’s important to rest-rest-rest and nurse-nurse-nurse. If you take antibiotics to treat the mastitis, it is imperative that you take the full prescribed course of antibiotics and you do not stop taking the pills once you start feeling better.
Spreading Germs
How can you protect your infant from the herpangina? It’s fine to rinse your nipples with plain water, and for a little added protection from virus transmission you could express some breast milk onto your nipples and let the milk air dry. Breast milk has antiviral and antibacterial properties. However, KellyMom says it’s really not necessary to take any special precautions to prevent the spread of germs between nurslings (with the exception of thrush):
By the time symptoms occur in a viral illness, the two nurslings will have been in close contact for days (both in the home and at the breast), and thus the well child will have already been exposed to the illness. In addition, your breasts will have already started to produce antibodies specifically for that illness. These antibodies will help the sick child get well quicker and will also help protect your other child from illness….
Washing the breasts between nurslings might even reduce the breasts’ exposure to the pathogens and therefore reduce the breasts’ efficiency at manufacturing antibodies.
Avoiding Mastitis
What can you do differently to avoid getting mastitis again? As I said, breast infections kick us when we’re down, so the key is to stay otherwise healthy and (reasonably!) well-rested. Follow these ten tips for breast health.
Share Your Experience
How have other mothers dealt with mastitis? Have any other tandem nursing mothers dealt with viruses? Leave a comment!
As a mother to 19-month old twins, I can definitely answer regarding to what I’ve done regarding viruses and tandem feeding: keep nursing … I really don’t do anything different. Well, maybe I have my kidlets nurse a little more often.
Usually, what happens is that Z (my daughter) will catch something. Then, B (my son) will either have an extremely mild case of the virus (colds or the flu) or not catch it at all (croup or a really, really nasty case of the flu).
I’m not such an expert regarding mastitis. I’ve had it once. I went to the doctor, took all my medicine, did some warm compresses, and prayed.
Back to the issue of viruses and tandem feeding, our pediatrician told me that it’s really common when tandem feeding for one child to never come down with the virus.
I also tell myself as I’m cuddling extra with poor Z, trying not to be thrown up on … again, that I’m making sure that I’m exposed more and more so that I can produce all the antibodies to (1) help her get better and (2) protect B. ^_^
Allanna, that’s very interesting that you’ve found that the second child will have a much milder case of the virus if at all. That’s great and definitely a benefit of nursing twins! Good for you and your son and daughter. I’m happy to hear you’re going strong at 19-months!
Its strange how i bumped into this lovely website. I am now truly more knowledgeable. Keep up the good work, especially the one on tandem nursing!
I had mastitis 5 times in 13 weeks, and finally what completely helped was to pump when I’m full (when the baby doesn’t nurse, or feeding is delayed). I’ve found that it’s also related to plugged ducts, so taking Lecithin 1,200mg x 4 per day, iodine supplements, fish oil supp, lots of water, help, but don’t solve the problem. Also change nursing positions. Sometimes dangle over your kids while they nurse, and the ducts get almost perfectly unplugged. Avoid all saturated fats, those also plug ducts. There’s an herbal supplement from Tao of Herbs called Mammo-guard, that works on mammary glands and the lymphatic system. Rest! Cabbage in the bra between feedings! Or ice. I also take vitamin C, garlic supplements and a strong probiotic. Reuteri is the best probiotic for breast issues, including Thrush. But other RENEW LIFE products, are excellent too. Good luck to you! Oh… also, don’t forget to lubricate the nipples, as the moisture helps to keep ducts open, helping to avoid plugged ducts too… go figure!!! It’s all worth it! Take care!
Phytolacca homeopathic remedy can be very helpful in treating mastitis that is painful in between feedings and the pain extends from the nipples all over the body. Belladonna can help if the breasts are hot, swollen, red with high fever. Borax is great for recurrent thrush in both mom and baby.