One of the breast infections that occur in women is mastitis. Mastitis itself is usually experienced by breastfeeding mothers but mastitis can also affect women who are not breastfeeding. Mastitis in breastfeeding mothers can make it difficult to breastfeed the baby. For that, let's get to know what mastitis is, the causes of mastitis and how to overcome mastitis.
What is mastitis?
Mastitis is an inflammation that occurs in the breast tissue. Mastitis is often a complaint during breastfeeding. According to IDAI data, around 3-20% of breastfeeding mothers can experience mastitis. Mastitis causes discomfort and breast pain, so it is not surprising that breastfeeding mothers who experience mastitis can interfere with the process of breastfeeding the baby. Because mastitis can reduce milk production and become a reason for some mothers to stop breastfeeding.
Keep in mind, mastitis usually only occurs in one breast and appears suddenly. However, the signs of mastitis can be recognized by the symptoms of bruised and reddish breasts. The breast feels itchy, sore when breastfeeding, there is a lump that feels painful, the size of one breast is larger. As well as the appearance of pus in the nipple, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes in the armpit or neck and fever. Some breastfeeding mothers may even experience symptoms of mastitis such as flu-like syndrome or flu-like symptoms, fever and chills.
Causes of mastitis in the breast
There are several factors that cause mastitis in the breast. Usually, mastitis is caused by bacteria from the skin or saliva entering the breast tissue through the milk ducts or wounds on the breast skin. In addition, the causes of mastitis that must also be watched out for are as follows:
- Staphylococcus and Streptococcus agalactiae bacterial infections that usually come from the baby's mouth and breast skin surface.
- Blocked milk ducts in the breast due to the accumulation or deposition of residual milk.
- Breast nipples that are injured, cracked or sore because they can be a medium for bacteria to enter.
- Improper attachment technique during breastfeeding can cause injury to the nipple.
- The breastfeeding mother only uses one side of the breast when giving breast milk.
How to deal with mastitis
Most mastitis occurs in the first six weeks after the baby is born, most commonly in the second and third weeks. However, mastitis can also occur throughout the breastfeeding period. Here's how you can manage mastitis:
Keep breastfeeding your baby
Despite experiencing mastitis, mothers are still advised to continue breastfeeding their little ones. Because stopping breastfeeding can actually worsen the condition of mastitis. During breastfeeding, make sure the baby's mouth is in the right position. Don't forget to rest and drink plenty of water.
Massaging the breasts
Massage the breasts gently when they feel hard. This massage should be done at the same time as breastfeeding. Hard breasts can be caused by milk blockage. Massaging can help smooth the milk ducts.
Compressing the breast
To soften the breast blockage that causes mastitis, breastfeeding mothers can do warm compresses on swollen breasts. The trick is to use a small clean towel and wet it with warm water. Then, place the warm towel over the breast that has mastitis. Repeat this warm compress several times until the mother feels comfortable.
Improve the body's immune system
Mastitis can also be affected by a weakened immune system. Increasing the body's immunity can prevent and speed up the healing of mastitis. Breastfeeding mothers can consume safe vitamin C to help fight infection. Also, pay attention to the food consumed, choose foods that are high in nutrients and nutrients so that the immune system is maintained.
Taking antibiotics
Mastitis that does not go away should get proper and fast medical treatment. Mastitis caused by a bacterial infection can be treated by taking antibiotics to overcome bacteria and provide pain relievers so that breastfeeding can still be done comfortably.
If not treated immediately, mastitis can cause complications such as abscesses or purulent breasts. For this reason, do not hesitate to get checked when breastfeeding mothers experience symptoms of mastitis. (Aq/MKK)
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