What is mastitis?

There are alveoli that affect milk formation in breast tissue and milk ducts that carry milk to milk ducts. The problem that occurs as a result of the inflammation of the milk accumulating in the alveoli and the obstruction of the milk ducts is called mastitis. Mastitis is the most common problem faced by mothers after giving birth. The causes of mastitis are conditions such as excess milk in the breast, inability of the baby to be placed on the breast correctly, improper sucking, restriction on breastfeeding times or infrequent breastfeeding intervals, the mother's tiredness, and the tightness of the clothes worn by the mother. Cracks in the nipple can also be shown as a factor in the formation of mastitis from the breast. The appearance of a clogged breast is taut and shiny. It is edematous and painful. In particular, redness occurs in the places where there is congestion and in the breast tissue. There is visible redness on the skin. Milk does not come out of the breast easily. The mother has a fever and sweating that lasts for 24 hours.

To relieve the clogged breast, warm compresses should be applied to the breast and the mother should take a warm shower. After taking a shower, massaging the area of ​​the breast with clockwise circles will help to open the blocked areas. After the massages after a warm shower, the baby should be breastfed. If the baby cannot grasp the breast correctly, the mother should empty the breast completely by expressing by hand or with the help of a machine. There is no difference whether the breast is expressed before or after breastfeeding. Expressing the breast before breastfeeding helps to make the breast soft for the baby to grasp. Expressing it after breastfeeding helps to evacuate all the milk in the breast.

After the warm application is made and the breast is completely emptied, cold application should be made to the breast. This cold application should be done with gel pads or cold cloths. This will help reduce edema in the breast.

To prevent mastitis, the baby must be breastfed frequently and placed correctly on the breast. Emptying the breast completely after breastfeeding and not limiting the breastfeeding times will prevent mastitis formation. Although the formation of mastitis is a very painful process, the treatment method is quite simple and easy. For this reason, although it is seen in every mother, it can be resolved immediately. In order to prevent the formation of mastitis and to prevent this situation, the baby should be breastfed frequently.