If you’ve ever had the misfortune to come down with mastitis (or have arrived at this post after searching “how to treat mastitis naturally”), I am so sorry.
Mastitis is the worst.
I have had mastitis multiple times (once you’ve had it one time, you’re more “prone” to getting it again) and it’s awful. It’s like the flu… times ten.
I also had the misfortune of getting mastitis on a weekend the first (and second… and third…) time, so I had to figure out how to treat it naturally since my practice was closed and I didn’t fancy a trip to the emergency department on a Saturday night.
These are the tips I’ve learned along the way as I’ve treated my mastitis naturally upwards of five times (with three different babies).
Mastitis is an infection of the breast, so sometimes you will need to go on an antibiotic. Obviously use your best judgment and speak with your healthcare professional about the best treatment for you. Like I said, though, I have often gotten mastitis over the weekend so I have never gone to the doctor for it. However, if your symptoms have not improved over 24 hours of self-care and natural remedies, you must seek medical attention (ditto if your baby is under two weeks old or the infection is in both breasts).
These remedies have always worked for me and I’ve improved well before the twenty-four hour mark. You can also do all of these things while you’re on antibiotics… they will work in conjunction!
Again, I am not a doctor. Consult your health care professional for medical advice.
How to Treat Mastitis Naturally
Rest
This is obvious, but I hate to tell a mom with mastitis that she needs to rest more, because clearly she hasn’t been able to rest properly or she may not have gotten mastitis in the first place! (Sometimes it’s not caused by that, though. You can also get mastitis from an ill-fitting bra, after lifting weights, or after travelling.) Call on any available friends or family members to help you if you can. Try to let let everything non-essential go and lay down to rest as much as possible. The old advice for mastitis stands true: take your baby to bed with you and stay in bed all day!
Nurse, nurse, nurse!
I always completely forgo my normal routine when I have mastitis and nurse as often as the baby will cooperate!
Nurse on the infected side first
Try to empty that side fully each time you nurse. (I preferred to keep a warm wash cloth on the breast while nursing.) It may be too painful to nurse on the infected side first, so just do what you can do to keep nursing, even if it means starting on the other side.
Hot MOIST compresses
You can use a heating pad or a sock filled with rice, but make sure you’re also using a WET wash cloth directly on the breast so that the heat is moist. This is my number one tip!! Place the wet wash cloth on your breast, cover with a heating pad or rice sock, and rest. Repeat.
Reposition
Try different nursing positions such as the football hold and “the cow” (what I like to call it when I lay the baby down on the middle of the bed and nurse over top of him/her… great for letting gravity do its thing to get the clog out).
Essential oils
If you have them on hand, melaleuca or tea tree essential oils are both great for infections. Massage melaleuca (diluted in a carrier oil to 10-20%) on the painful lump on your breast, avoiding the nipple. Wipe off before nursing. (If you’re prone to mastitis, I recommend going ahead and ordering melaleuca so you have it when you need it! There are many other uses for it, so it’s worth buying!)
Hot showers and massage
If you can find time, take a long, hot shower. Try and also massage the infected breast while you’re in the shower. Massage from the clog towards the nipple. You can also lather up a large toothed comb with some conditioner and run that along your breast from the clog to the nipple.
Go bra-less
While at home, go bra-less or switch to a very loose-fitting sleep bra that won’t dig into the sides of your breast or compress the clog. I like this one!
Raw garlic
This is totally disgusting, but so great for helping infections. What I did was toast a piece of whole wheat bread, butter it (LOTS), and add at least a clove or two of raw, freshly minced garlic. Swallow fast! You can also try stirring a few cloves of raw garlic into hummus or another dip in order to get it in.
Probiotics
Eat some yogurt, or drink some kefir or kombucha. Fill your body with healthy probiotics! (This is especially important if you’re on an antibiotic.)
Avoid sugar
I also cut out sugar completely because sugar can compromise the immune system.
Pain reliever
I have always taken over-the-counter pain reliever to help with the fever/chills.
Water
Drink lots and lots of water! Drink more than you think you need, and then some more.
Final word…
DO keep in mind that mastitis really takes it out of you! Even once your body has fought off the infection, you will still feel very tired and weak for a day or two. Plan on resting as much as possible.
Also, my favorite online resource for breastfeeding help is Kelly Mom. This article on mastitis and clogged ducts is really helpful!
Have you ever had mastitis? Do you have any tips to add to this list?
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Oh my goodness, this took me back! I am cringing just reliving my mastitis days!! I also was prone to it and had it several times! I will never forget when my second was a week old and I could feel it coming on late one night (a weekend, like you, of course…) and I called the on call Dr at my OB’s office. I had had it before so I KNEW what was going on and was already in so much pain so I called begging her for an antibiotic and she told me I didn’t have it and was just engorged since my milk was just coming in (my milk always came in at day 2, while still in the hospital so it had been in for a good 5 days or so)! Of course, since I was one week postpartum and super hormonal I was BAWLING and trying to convince her I really did have it and to please give me an antibiotic LOL! Funny now, not so much back then 😉 The only other tip I have is to pump if need be!! The first time I got it was when my first was 9 months old! By that point, my mobile baby was NOT staying in bed with Mama to nurse around the clock, so I was in a ton of pain and had to pump, even though it was much less comfortable than nursing. At the time I didn’t know how to express by hand, but now that I do, I would probably do that first (preferably in the hot shower) since it may be less painful. I totally agree with you about the wet washcloth and the “cow” position! Both worked wonders for me (for clogged ducts, as well!) Great tips!
I’m so sorry you were prone to mastitis too! Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
I only had it with my third baby–had it once and fought it off twice. My dr recommended T-Relief cream (it used to be called Traumeel). It’s an arnica cream that fights inflammation. Whenever I felt a lump coming on, I would rub some on. You can’t use the cream on your nipple, but anywhere else is fine. T-Relief is awesome for bumps, bruises, smashed fingers, and any other pain/inflammation in you or your kiddos.
Oh that is awesome to know about! Thank you for sharing, Beth!