Prevention of mastitis

What is mastitis?

Inflammation of the breasts involving one or more lobes of the gland is most often associated with lactation. A typical picture includes local inflammation of the gland tissue with spontaneous pain. It is often accompanied by general symptoms (temperature >38.5°C, headache, muscle pain, drowsiness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, chills) of varying intensity. In some cases, bacterial infection occurs.

! Mastitis is manifested by severe pain, swelling, redness and increased warmth of the breasts. The process takes place within the gland, but gradually spreads throughout the body, so all ailments should always be consulted with a midwife or doctor.

Correct and frequent latching of the baby to the breast is both a preventive and therapeutic action.

Features of a proper latch:

The baby clings with its tummy to your belly, the head does not bend, and the line passing through the baby’s ear, shoulder and hip is straight. During sucking, the angle between the baby’s lips is open, the lower lip is turned up and the upper lip is tilted, the cheeks do not collapse. The tip of the nose is close to the breast, and the chin touches it. In the baby’s mouth there is a nipple and 1.5-2 cm of the areola of the nipple. You don’t hear smacking or smacking. Mom feels no pain. The nipples after feeding are round, they are not flattened.

The most important preventive measures include:

• Frequent skin-to-skin contact, not only after childbirth;
• Proper conduct during breast fullness.
• ! The procedure that worked for your friend in your case may worsen the situation and develop inflammation.
• Effective, painless and regular breastfeeding around the clock (at least 8 times a day);
• Hand hygiene after each diaper change and before latching on.
• The use of Limosilactobacillus fermentum isolated from the milk of healthy women to improve the balance of the milk duct microbiota as a preventive and curative action.
• Breast ultrasound during lactation.

Feed your baby on demand and don’t try to “empty” your breast

The volume of milk depends on the feedback mechanism, in which increased milk removal increases milk production. Excessive feeding from the affected breast or pumping milk “until the breast is empty” drives the hyperlactation cycle and is an important risk factor for increased tissue swelling and inflammation. Mothers who use a breast pump should only express the amount of milk that the baby eats.

There is no evidence to support “top-feeding” (i.e. feeding a baby lying on the floor with the mother above the baby with the breast hanging down) or in other positions that are dangerous for the baby. Moms can try different safe variations of standard positions to increase feeding comfort. However, this does not affect the ongoing inflammation.

During difficult days related to breastfeeding, every mother will appreciate the comfort provided by muslin diapers perfect for the delicate skin of the baby. It is also worth choosing a swaddle wrap that will wrap the baby, giving the mother a moment of respite.

Minimize the use of a breast pump

Mechanical breast pumps stimulate milk production regardless of the physiological needs of the baby. Expressing milk with a breast pump does not allow bacteria to exchange between the baby’s mouth and the mother’s breast, which can predispose to dysbiosis. Breast pumps can also cause injuries to the breast parenchyma and nipple-areola complex if the breast pump collar is the wrong size, the suction is too strong or the mother expresses milk for too long. Pumping milk should be limited to situations where the mother is separated from the baby or when there are medical reasons for this that are important for the mother or the baby. Women who use a breast pump should express milk with such frequency and in such an amount that expressing milk mimics physiological breastfeeding.

Mastitis is not contagious and does not result from improper hygiene. Parts of the breast pump should be properly cleaned after each use, but there is no need to routinely sterilise the breast pump or other household utensils to prevent mastitis. Nipple rubbing should be avoided as this can cause maceration and pain. The anatomy and physiology of warts, characterized by strong vascularization, is not a factor conducive to ascending infections.

Emilia Adamczyk