Mastitis can be a real headache for breastfeeding moms, often leaving them worried about how it will affect their milk supply. In this article, we look at what causes mastitis and signs one may have the condition. We'll tackle the big question head-on: Can mastitis decrease milk supply? And importantly, we'll give some practical tips for maintaining milk flow during and after a bout of mastitis. The aim is to give you the necessary information, supported by solid references, so you and your baby can get back to normal.
What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Mastitis?
Why Does Mastitis Happen?
- Hyperlactation: An oversupply of milk can also be a culprit. Producing a lot of milk will cause your ducts to narrow because the surrounding tissue compresses them. This may cause engorgement when your breasts are feeling extra full and firm; this is also known as inflammatory mastitis.
- Blocked Milk Ducts: A blocked milk duct occurs when milk doesn't flow freely and gets stuck, leading to swelling and pain in that area. If one breast gets clogged—maybe because your baby didn't fully drain it or you've skipped breastfeeding—it can back up, causing pressure and inflammation. Often, this clogged duct is the root cause of mastitis.
- Bacterial Infection: Your skin harbors bacteria, which usually do not cause any problems. However, if they sneak into your breast tissue, through a sore or cracked nipple, it can lead to an infection within the breast, setting the stage for mastitis.
- Insufficient Breast Emptying: When milk stays in the breast—whether from infrequent feedings or incomplete pumping—it can increase the risk of infection.
- Tight Clothing or Pressure on the Breast: Wearing bras that are too tight or even sleeping in a way that puts constant pressure on the breasts can act like a dam, blocking the flow of milk and leading to potential issues, so you can wear a comfortable nursing bra.
- Weakened Immune System: When you're run down from lack of sleep, stress, or poor nutrition, your body's defenses are lowered. This can make it harder to fight off infections, including those that lead to mastitis.
What Are the Symptoms of Mastitis?
- Breast Pain: One of the first signs you'll notice is pain in the breast. It may start out feeling uncomfortable and progress to a severe ache or burning sensation, especially when you're breastfeeding, as the milk tries to pass through the inflamed area.
- Swelling and Redness: The affected part of your breast might look swollen and red. It could feel hot and hard to the touch, a sign that your body is fighting an infection.
- Flu-like Symptoms: Mastitis doesn't just stay local to the breast; it can make you feel sick all over. You might develop a fever, chills, and body aches, making you feel as though you've caught the flu.
- Nipple Discharge: Sometimes, along with the pain and swelling, you may see some unusual discharge from the nipple. It could be cloudy or have streaks of blood, an indication of inflammation or infection.
- Fatigue: This isn't just your regular tiredness; with mastitis, the fatigue can be overwhelming, making even simple tasks feel exhausting.
From a simple clogged duct to sneaky bacteria finding their way in, the causes of mastitis vary widely. However, mastitis is manageable with some extra care. And though symptoms like tenderness, swelling, or those flu-like feelings might be quite a downer on a good day, they're just your body's way of waving a flag for some extra attention.
Does Mastitis Decrease Milk Supply?
Yes, mastitis can decrease milk supply temporarily. The inflammation and infection associated with mastitis can make it difficult for the milk to flow properly, which may reduce the amount of milk your body produces. Additionally, the pain and discomfort caused by mastitis can make breastfeeding more challenging, leading to less frequent nursing or pumping sessions, which also contributes to milk supply drop after mastitis. However, this reduction in milk supply is often temporary, and normal production typically resumes following treatment and recovery from mastitis. With appropriate treatment and continued breastfeeding or breast pumping, you can maintain your milk supply and may even see it bounce back as you recover from mastitis.
Why Does Mastitis Decrease Milk Supply?
The mechanics of breastfeeding are delicately balanced, and mastitis can disrupt this balance in several ways, leading to a milk supply drop after mastitis.
1. Inflammation and Compression
As the breast tissue inflames with mastitis, it may swell and compress the milk ducts within your breast. This is a sort of physical blockage inside the breast, which acts to impede the normal flow of milk out toward the nipple, creating congestion in the pathways responsible for carrying milk toward the nipple.
2. Pain and Breastfeeding Challenges
Mastitis is generally accompanied by sharp pains and discomfort, which may result in shallow or infrequent nursing. Because milk production works on a supply-and-demand basis, the less stimulation through nursing, the more the body gets the signal that less milk should be produced.
3. Poor Milk Drainage
If mastitis is making it too painful to breastfeed, a mother may not be emptying the affected breast fully or frequently enough. Poor drainage will make the problem worse, as an engaged full breast acts as a signal to the body to slow down production.
4. Impact of Infection
The body's immune response to infection includes diverting energy and resources to fight off the bacteria causing mastitis. This fight requires energy—energy that might otherwise be used to produce milk, potentially leading to a temporary milk supply drop after mastitis.
5. Emotional Stress
Discomfort and stress of mastitis may affect hormones responsible for milk production and release. High levels of stress interfere with oxytocin (the hormone associated with the milk ejection reflex, also known as letdown) leading to less efficiency in the release of milk.
It’s important to know that a milk supply drop after mastitis is something many moms face. However, with the right approach and sometimes a little help from healthcare professionals, most women can get past mastitis without it permanently affecting their milk production. With good care, you can keep breastfeeding effectively and keep your milk supply steady.
How to Increase Your Milk Supply During and After Mastitis?
To counteract the temporary low supply after mastitis, there are several strategies you can employ to encourage your body to produce more milk:
1. Boost Your Milk Supply with Power Pumping
Power pumping can effectively increase milk supply by mimicking a baby's frequent feeding pattern, and the Momcozy Mobile Flow™ Hands-Free Breast Pump | M9 is an excellent tool for this. With its strong suction power, enhanced leak prevention—10% better than earlier models—and 28.2% greater efficiency, you can express more milk in less time. The advanced third-generation pump motor offers powerful suction capabilities reaching up to -300mmHg, designed to maximize milk output efficiently. This ease of use, coupled with the convenience of needing only one charge for up to five sessions, makes the M9 a perfect ally for busy mothers looking to boost their milk production through breast pumps.
2. Nurse or Pump Often for More Milk
Think of frequent breastfeeding or pumping as the order for more milk, a way of telling your body that demand is stable and production should be too. Even though it may hurt to do so if you have mastitis, it is very important not to stop frequent feeding or pumping. It is not always going to feel very good, but staying on schedule will help your milk supply from falling. In cases where direct breastfeeding is too painful, then pumping can be a good option to keep the milk in flow.
3. Warm Up Before Feeding Time
Using a warm compress before you nurse or pump can really help. The heat helps relax the tiny muscles around your milk ducts and encourages them to widen, allowing more milk to flow freely. This will not only make the process less painful if you have mastitis but easier to completely empty the breast.
4. Soothe with a Gentle Breast Massage
If your breast feels like it has knots, gentle massage can often help smooth things out. Starting from the outside of the breast and working your way in toward the nipple with gentle pressure often relieves blocked ducts and, in turn, can help take away the pain while improving milk flow. Simple to perform, and one that yields a large difference-especially if done often throughout the day and during nursing or pumping.
5. Eat Well and Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking enough water and eating well aren't just good general advice; they're essential for milk production. Your body needs plenty of fluids to make milk, so keeping hydrated is key. Think of it like watering a plant – without enough water, it won't thrive. Nutritious food acts as the building blocks for your milk, so a balanced diet helps ensure you're giving your baby all the nutrients they need, while also keeping your own energy levels up.
As you work to increase your milk supply, remember to take good care of yourself in the process. Getting enough rest, leaning on your support people, and if you feel you need the support, a lactation consultant can provide further guidance that you may need to help you cope with mastitis and the impact on milk supply.
Bounce Back from Mastitis and Boost Your Milk Supply
Dealing with mastitis can be stressful, especially when you’re concerned about your milk supply. But don’t worry—this is just a bump in the road. Thankfully, there are tried-and-true methods to help you recover and maintain a steady milk flow for your baby. Power pumping can give you a real boost, and doing it with a trusty tool like the Momcozy Mobile Flow™ Hands-Free Breast Pump | M9 makes the task both efficient and comfy. Alongside using this helpful pump, take a few moments to gently massage any sore spots on your breasts. And remember: the better you drink and eat to help yourself heal, the better you'll be helping your milk supply. With love, patience, and the right support, you'll find your way back to a plentiful supply in no time.
