My Journey with Recurrent Mastitis

I’ve had infectious mastitis requiring various antibiotics at least ten times. (I’m not exaggerating). Being a self-professed “expert” in breastfeeding, and having breastfed for a consecutive 47 months at the time of this post (no, that is not a typo), this was insanely frustrating.

I had seen a breastfeeding medicine specialist at the hospital twice, I had 4 milk cultures taken, 2 breast ultrasounds, and it seemed no one could figure out why I kept getting mastitis. I was getting pretty good at knowing when it was coming on, but at least once a month for 9 straight months I was on antibiotics. If there’s anything out there about preventing clogs while breastfeeding, I’d read it or tried it.

I saw an article today on Facebook that alleges our obsession with infant growth charts may be fueling childhood obesity.

This is an interesting point. I felt recently like I needed to feed my youngest more because she weighed at 18 months what my oldest weighed at 9 months! Both were exclusively breastfed by me, so why the difference?! Because they’re different babies on different curves with different needs: and both ate because (and when!) they were hungry!

I’ve got so many friends and family who have recently had babies or are expecting soon, and they are either currently breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. I wanted to compile a brief list of lessons I’ve learned along the way. I just celebrated my 3-year anniversary of CONSECUTIVE nursing: my sweet Claire weaned herself with some gentle coaching from me on New Year’s Eve. Together we chanted “new year, new you!” She had nursed for 33 months by that point. When she was 33 hours old, I wondered if I was going to make it to 6 weeks, let alone 6 months (my initial goal)…

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Thrush! Ah, that pesky devil. Thrush is also known as a yeast overgrowth on the nipples, or the baby’s mouth, in the ducts, or all of the above. This annoying breastfeeding problem can be uncomfortable but is easily solved. Read on for what worked for me, along with some recommendations I learned from my lactation consultants, breastfeeding support groups, and other nursing mothers.