Mastitis: Breastfeeding Symptoms, Causes, and Prevention

5 min. read

While breastfeeding is one of the most natural things a woman can do, it isn’t always simple. Along with the special moments, there are some common breastfeeding issues that new breastfeeding mothers can encounter. One of these is mastitis, a condition which causes breast tissue to become sore or inflamed.
 

A large cohort study revealed that slightly fewer than 10% of American women experience mastitis in the three months after giving birth. ⁴ It mostly occurs in breastfeeding women, however non-breastfeeding women can develop a type called periductal mastitis. This is caused by a bacterial infection in the milk ducts due to a cracked or sore nipple, or even a nipple piercing.
 

Lactation Mastitis is a concern as it can make breastfeeding painful, and can hinder the bonding process or even compromise milk supply. It should be dealt with promptly to help mother and baby feel healthy and comfortable, and protect mother’s milk supply.
 

So ‘how do you get mastitis?’, ‘what are the mastitis symptoms?’, and ‘can you breastfeed with mastitis?’: here we’ll answer all the most commonly asked questions about mastitis and how to deal with it. For further information, seek the advice of a healthcare professional.

Signs of mastitis

What does mastitis feel like? As well as pain and discomfort, mastitis symptoms can also include tiredness and feeling run down. The early signs of mastitis include: ¹

• Fever and/or flu-like symptoms
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Yellowish nipple discharge
• Breasts that are warm or hot to touch
• Breasts that appear pink or red in color

These mastitis symptoms are similar to engorged breast symptoms, but there is a key difference between the two. Mastitis differs from engorgement in that it usually only affects one part of the breast, rather than the entire two breasts.

What causes mastitis?

While mastitis can occur at any time for a new mother, it is most common within the first two to three weeks after delivery. A common cause of this condition is lengthy gaps between feeding sessions, such as when the baby starts sleeping through the night.

Other causes of mastitis are as follows: ²

• Improper breastfeeding latch
• Incomplete draining of milk from the breasts, for example due to a clogged milk duct
• Engorged breasts that are left unaddressed
• Regular pressure on one part of the breast
• Trauma to the breast caused by injury or impact

In short, mastitis is usually caused by milk staying still in the breast for too long, known as milk stasis. It is the promotion of bacterial growth due to milk stasis that leads to the condition and symptoms of pain and fever.  It is, therefore, important to ensure that milk is properly removed from breasts to avoid issues such as mastitis and engorgement.