Last Monday morning (8Sept2014), I woke up having very swollen left armpit that goes til' half of my left breast that was really so uncomfortable with my arm. I was wondering why just suddenly it happened so quick that I slept all is well then woke up in pain. Then I noticed that I feel cold, got a thermometer to check, and yes was having a fever, too, that goes with terrible headaches and muscle pains, that I really wanna cry. My left breast was very sore that I can't even touch it.

   The thought that my baby could had kick me in there while we're sleeping came to my mind but strange it may be as he was always settled in one position every time he sleeps. I just remember then that it may be a clogged milk ducts which happens when the milk duct has become inflamed because the milk is unable to flow through easily though I know this is very common the moment your milk arrives after giving birth. 

   I had made a research on the net about the symptoms and was really surprised that it matches that of mine and it's called "mastitis". Didn't have idea that it could still happen in later stage as I thought it only happens when your milk arrives soon after birth. I think it might have something to do that night time feeding when my baby not milking my breast well as most of the time he easily falls asleep just after a short time latch.

   To share, here's what I have read from Babycenter by Susan Condon, a lactation consultant:


How can I tell if I have mastitis?

All breastfeeding women should know the signs of mastitis (a breast infection), what to do if they develop this condition, and how to prevent it.

Mastitis refers to any inflammation of the breast, whether the mother has a fever or bacterial infection or not. Symptoms of breast infection, which may come on gradually or suddenly, include:

• Intense pain in one or both breasts

• Red, hot, or swollen breast or a hard, tender, reddened area on the breast

• Flu-like symptoms, including a fever of 101 degrees F (38.4 degrees C) or higher

If you notice any of these symptoms, or if you have a cracked nipple that appears infected, see pus or blood in your milk, or detect red streaks on your breast, call your doctor. In any case, you can and should continue breastfeeding.

Your midwife or doctor will likely recommend home treatment (see below), and, if your fever continues for more than 24 hours, may prescribe an antibiotic compatible with breastfeeding.

If you get a breast infection:

• Apply either dry or wet heat directly to your breast (placing hot washcloths on the affected breast before each feeding works well) and gently massage the area while feeding.

• Start each feeding on the affected breast. As painful as it may be at first, breastfeeding through a breast infection is essential—if you stop, you'll get engorged and only aggravate the problem.

• Make sure your baby is positioned well and latches on to as much breast tissue as possible.

• Vary your nursing positions.

• Don't wear tight clothing.

• Loosen your bra or go braless.

• Rest! Mastitis is a sign that you are doing too much too soon. Leave the dirty dishes, ask someone else to fold the laundry, limit visitors.

You can get mastitis for many reasons—the usual cause is a plugged duct in your breast; others are engorgement, your baby's changing feeding patterns (now that he's sleeping through the night), or pressure on your breasts from tight clothing or undergarments.

PREVENTION TIPS

To avoid getting mastitis again follow these:

• Check your nursing position. Is your baby gripping breast tissue or just the nipple while feeding? Poor latch-on and positioning or improper sucking can contribute to mastitis; if your baby is not milking the breast properly and efficiently, your breasts may become too full or engorged. He should have the nipple as well as the areola—the dark or pink area that surrounds the nipple—fully in his mouth.

Then consider the following—each could contribute to a bout of mastitis:

• Is your baby sleeping longer stretches and feeding less often? This could lead to engorgement and possibly mastitis.

• Are you limiting time at the breast, leading to shorter feedings? Have you started to give supplementary bottles or a pacifier to your baby? Has your baby's nursing pattern changed abruptly because of teething, a cold, or your own schedule? If you notice a feeling of fullness in your breast when you're not nursing, try to release it—by nursing, pumping, or hand expressing, or by taking a hot shower or bath—to avoid discomfort and possible engorgement.

• Is there consistent pressure on your breast? Check the fit of your bra—underwire bras are not recommended for nursing mothers as the underwire presses into the ductile system—and eliminate tight clothing. Even a swimsuit or leotard can contribute to mastitis. Is your purse or diaper bag strap placing undue pressure on your breasts? Are your breast pads or shells making your bra too tight? Do you sleep on your stomach or let your baby rest on your chest? If you answered yes to any of these, you may have found the cause of your mastitis.

If you get mastitis more than once, you may not have fully recovered from your first infection, or you may be too fatigued and stressed. Remember to take it easy.

If you have repeated bouts of mastitis, be sure to mention it to your healthcare provider. In very rare cases, recurring mastitis may be a warning sign of a breast tumor, and you'll want to rule out this possibility.

While from AskDrSears, these were the symptoms I had read:

Signs of mastitis include:

• Part or all of the breast is intensely painful, hot, tender, red, and swollen. Some mothers can pinpoint a definite area of inflammation, while at other times the entire breast is tender.

• You feel tired, run down, achy, have chills or think you have the flu. A breastfeeding mother who thinks she has the flu probably has mastitis. Mothers with mastitis will sometimes experience these flu-like symptoms, even before they get a fever or notice breast tenderness.

• You have chills or feel feverish, or your temperature is 101F or higher. These symptoms suggest that you have an infection.

• You are feeling progressively worse, your breasts are growing more tender, and your fever is becoming more pronounced. With simple engorgement, a plugged duct, or mastitis without infection, you gradually feel better instead of worse.

• Recent events have set you up for mastitis: cracked or bleeding nipples, stress or getting run down, missed feedings or longer intervals between feedings.

SOURCES: 

Babycenter -> http://www.babycenter.com/404_how-can-i-tell-if-i-have-mastitis_1929.bc

AskDrSears -> http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/feeding-eating/breastfeeding/common-problems/mastitis

   So I got most of those symptoms above that wasn't really that easy to deal with, swollen left breast, those aching body pains especially on my legs and lower back were so bad that I wasn't able to sleep well that night added the severe headaches which doesn't go that day even I was taking paracetamols time to time.  

Warm compress

Breastfeeding your baby more often is the best way to relieve it

   Glad it went away the next day, was able to sleep well the other night. Warm compress, a good sleep and somewhat a massage from hubby had made me feel better but I think breastfeeding my baby more often on my left that time did helped a lot. Thanks be to God!

"Keep calm and carry on breastfeeding."

Photo taken from:

http://www.ladycarehealth.com/symptoms-and-treatment-of-breast-infections-in-breastfeeding-women/

http://cargocollective.com/ankolie/Breastfeeding-and-Pregnancy-drawings

   I feel so overwhelmingly thankful and blessed that up to now that my little one is ten months old, still I am able to breastfeed him round the clock, whenever he wants to day and night. Thanks be to God!

Look at those six pearly white teeth (At around ten months)

   Just want to share this page to those who are about to be moms, those who are planning to breastfeed, those who were already on breastfeeding and especially to those who were planning to give up breastfeeding due to stress, thinking that they're not producing enough milk.

   With my experiences last 2009, really it took me only around a week or two to breastfeed as really it's so hard at first especially that I had caesarian operation. Those few days were really tough for me to breastfeed as I can't position my baby well, not feeling comfortable with my wound. This situation led my first to be introduced earlier into formula and was fed with it more often while I'm still adjusting with my operation. I felt so sad as the soonest time came that I was ready to focus on breastfeeding, I've noticed my breast milk supply had decreased. It was really a very stressing moment, baby won't latch on properly as she was more into bottle feeding already and might not be getting ample amount of milk.  Tried to pump but really I got so little and that maybe I might not also be doing it the right way.

   For some breastfeeding moms, it will not always be successful especially if it's your first time just like me, but then on with experience, we learn from it and there will always be a second time around to make it better and to do your best. I was given this chance when I gave birth to my second child last November 2013.

   With my first wayback 2009, I was put into general anesthesia so I was sleeping for some hours before I was able to hold my baby. She was handed down to me like after two days so I wasn't able to breastfeed her right away. I think that's how they handle it for caesarian operation cases, maybe for recovery purposes. Breastfeeding was not suggested nor has been promoted to me by my private OB-Gyne.

   So I can say that one factor that also helps was how you were informed about the importance of breastfeeding, how you get started. With my second in another hospital, the staff were really encouraging us mommies to breastfeed and that they were really promoting it. Just before I had that day of my scheduled operation, I was asked if how I would like my baby to be fed and I happily told them by breastfeeding. :) They placed him beside me the soonest I got some rest for his feedings.

   The moment I held my baby and breastfed him was such a wonderful feeling. No amount of words can describe it. The nurses were very accommodating, they helped me out on how to position him properly so he can latch well. I was even invited to watch a breastfeeding demo together with other moms who had chose to breastfeed, too. We spent around 45 minutes on watching then afterwards we're brought to a pumping station room where they taught us how to use or pump breast milk ourselves.

   Baby was just around for some hours as afterwards, he was brought to a pediatric ward for observation as they found out some infection which they say was just normal for newborn babies. While he was there, I was pumping milk then handed them over to the pediatric staff for his feedings. To share, I was using  there by the way the Medela Professional Symphony Breastfeeding Pump, bigger with those normal ones we usually see.  There's a rhythm and timing with every pump it makes, slow to fast levels to choose from,  has a stimulation/let-down phase, it's very gentle.

My very first pumped breastmilk

My precious milk, the golden "colostrum"! :)

Feeding him with my pumped breast milk while he was at the pediatric ward

Wow, almost finished... Good boy! :)

   These bonding moments were really a very rewarding start for me. Of course, with the help of God first. The feeling is indescribable, very overwhelming as a mom.

   When I checked out from the hospital, my baby had to stay more as he needs another week for him to complete his antibiotics. At home, have been pumping time to time, then his Dad brings the pumped breast milks at the hospital for his feedings. At home, I have been using this Medela Harmony Manual Pump. Just like Symphony, it works great with too, so easy to use and very light. As time goes by, for each regular pumping, I had achieved a successful milk supply. 

My pumped breast milk at home

Pumping every 2-3 hours

Feeding time again

Loves his precious milk <3

   Also, whenever I have time, I always read about breastfeeding tips and ideas on the internet for added inputs. For every question I had in mind, I google it. :) Also, I am writing down notes from the experiences of other breastfeeding moms, it really do counts.

   I have learned that every mom has adequate amount of breast milk to feed his baby, you just really have to work it out. From warm massage to pumping and drinking more water. Supplementing with nursing teas and supplements helps, too. You just really have to do your best. :)

My favorite supplement from my native country, look at that pumped milk! Just waiting to be mix with his morning cereals :)

My breastfeeding assistants :)

  Actually, I don't have a problem with my milk supply but I just want to make sure that I always have enough milk and that I'm afraid I will lose it, yay! I took the Blackmores Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Gold same with Motherlove More Milk Plus and Goat's Rue during those early stages of breastfeeding. Have tried teas like the Hipp Nursing Tea and also the Yogi Nursing Support for a short time, just not really a fan of tea. The Life Oil is my favorite supplement and I have been taking it up to present. 

   By the way, lately I had been using the Medela Swing and it really works perfect, too! ;) Just find the Symphony a bit tiring especially when pumping takes a longer time.

My Medela Swing

   And to complete the list, you should always have breast pads with you, it's a must! Same with nursing bras for comfortability during breastfeeding. 

My stocks of disposable breast pads which I use only when we're outside

The Avent washable pads were the ones I have been using ever since

   Added inputs, major basis to consider that you're really doing well in breastfeeding is that your baby increases in weight during  his monthly check-up. ;) Seeing my baby's weight goes up do really assures me that I am breastfeeding well, and every time the hospital staff tells me that I am doing great on breastfeeding do really makes me happy and glad.

Fell asleep while breastfeeding, priceless! :)

   For me breastfeeding is a journey. I think most breastfeeding moms will agree with that based from their experiences. I can say that it's not that easy at first, I myself had undergo a stressing time somehow that there were moments that I wanted to alternatively feed him by formula as every time I breastfeed him, I have been worrying if he's getting enough milk as unlike bottle feeding, you know how much amount your baby consumes. 

   But considering how my baby gets along with every feeding (satisfied, happy, soundly asleep at night, regular change of nappy), has been my basis that he's  getting enough milk from me. Actually thinking and worrying gives you stress and it's a big no-no when it comes to breastfeeding as it will decrease your milk supply as I had read. Rather be inspired, think of happy thoughts instead, surround yourself with good moods and positivities and you're on the right track.

   It's a journey of you and your baby. :) More time to bond with your little one and knowing he gets the best feeds from it makes you feel happy and worry free. As compared to formula feeding, with my first, she cries a lot, always had tummy problems and always spits milk even until she passed her toddler stage.  With breastfeeding on my second one now, he's such a happy baby, healthy tummy really never had a problem with it, he always had good digestions. For the first six months while on breastfeeding alone, his poo-poos had no smell at all, too. Also, there's so little milk spits, he only had them when he was weeks old. And also from the very start, he sleeps straight through the night from birth up to now. In general, with breastfeeding, every thing is healthier and lighter.

  To add, my baby was just introduced with solid foods when he turned six months as what suggested by the clinic since he was on exclusive breastfeeding and that I was also informed it will help to prevent him from allergic reactions to food at an early stage.

Photo taken when he had his very first solid baby food (just when he turned six months)

And yes, breast milk will always be there! ;)

   Just keep it up mommies! Always give yourself a pat on the back that you are doing great. You will find it really rewarding as time goes by, and especially will surely treasure each bonding moment every time you breastfeed. 

  And for those who finds it stressful, don't give up. Yes at first, most will experience sore nipples, just take it easy, take a deep breath and relax. There are many ways to sooth them out like creams though I haven't use one for myself as I had no issue about this with my little fella, as he had been so gentle. :) Just lately that he have been biting them already with his six teeth, yay! :)

With my "Mini Me" :)

   Truly, I am blessed and thankful to be given the chance. Thanks be to God for such wonderful moment that my baby and I will treasure for a lifetime.

"While breastfeeding may not seem the right choice for every parent, it is the best choice for every baby." ~ Amy Spangler