Moneeze Bernardo
- An FB post went viral due to the horrors of breast mastitis to breastfeeding moms.
- Engorgement and incomplete breast emptying can contribute to mastitis.
- Breastfeed equally from both breasts to prevent mastitis.
On Facebook, a concerned Netizen shared pieces of information about an infection that makes breastfeeding moms susceptible to mastitis.
Mastitis is an infection of the tissue of the breast that occurs most frequently during the time of breastfeeding. It can occur when bacteria, often from the baby’s mouth, enter a milk duct through a crack in the nipple.
Ellaine De Luna Velasco posted her sister-in-law’s painful story who just recently gave birth and acquired breast mastitis.
The first-time mom resorted to let her child drink milk to only one side of her breasts when the child would not drink from the other. This caused for the mother’s right side of the breast to swell despite doing the pumping procedure to suck out milk from it.
Velasco’s sister-in-law eventually ignored the matter until puss started coming out of her right breast and she’s now experiencing fever. When she was brought for check-up, she was advised to see an obstetrician-gynecologist. The OB in turn, referred the mother to a surgeon as she needed it urgently.
There, they were informed that Velasco’s sister-in-law was diagnosed with breast mastitis.
About 1% to 3% of breastfeeding mothers develop mastitis. Engorgement and incomplete breast emptying can contribute to the problem and make the symptoms worse, as the case of Velasco’s sister-in-law when she was advised to undergo surgery to treat the infection.
“Milk fever” in Velasco’s post is a misnomer, however. This particular term primarily refers in dairy cattle, beef cattle and non-bovine domesticated animals. It is characterized by reduced blood calcium levels when demand for calcium for colostrum and milk production exceeds the animal’s ability to mobilize calcium.
Mastitis is the correct term for this human sickness commonly found in women.
Mastitis Prevention.
At the end of Velasco’s post, she cautioned others “So please moms, especially sa mga bagong panganak or mga pregnant mommy, kung mag-breastfeed po kayo pilitin niyo na po na both side ang madedean ng baby niyo para po hindi ma-stock ang gatas sa kabilang breast niyo”.
According to WebMD, a top healthcare website, good habits to prevent mastitis include the following:
- Breastfeed equally from both breasts.
- Empty breasts completely to prevent engorgement and blocked ducts.
- Use good breastfeeding techniques to prevent sore, cracked nipples.
- Allow sore or cracked nipples to air dry.
- Prevent moisture from accumulating in breast pads or bras.
- Avoid dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids.
- Practice careful hygiene: Handwashing, cleaning the nipples, keeping your baby clean.
