Mastitis can be easily treated using a number of self-care measures and by adjusting your breastfeeding technique. Most women make a full recovery very quickly.
Non-infectious mastitis
Most cases of non-infectious mastitis can be treated with a number of self-care techniques such as:
- making sure that you get plenty of rest
- drinking plenty of fluids
- using painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen that are available over the counter without prescription to reduce pain and fever (high temperature) - a small amount of paracetamol can enter the breast milk but it is not enough to harm your baby (aspirin is not safe to take while breastfeeding)
- not wearing tight-fitting clothing or a bra until your symptoms improve
- placing a warm compress (a cloth warmed with warm water) over your breast to help relieve the pain. A warm shower or bath may also help
Breastfeeding advice
Try to continue breastfeeding if you have mastitis. Following the advice below should improve your symptoms:
- keep breastfeeding or expressing milk by hand or with a pump (a device to help you express milk). If necessary, express milk between feeds
- feed from the affected breast often at least 8 to 12 times a day if you are only breastfeeding your baby (not bottle feeding as well)
- make sure that the breast is empty after feeds by expressing any remaining milk
- massage your breast to release any blockages. Stroke from the lumpy area towards the nipple to help the milk flow
- make sure that your baby is properly positioned and attached to your breasts. Your midwife or health visitor should be able to advise you about how to do this
- experiment with feeding your baby in different positions to see if this makes feeding more effective
- warming your breast using warm water can help to soften the breast, making it easier for your baby to feed
If your symptoms do not improve or they get worse despite trying these techniques, see your GP for additional advice or treatment.
Infectious mastitis
Infectious mastitis will need to be treated using a combination of the techniques outlined above and antibiotics (medication to treat infections caused by bacteria).
Your GP will prescribe an antibiotic that is safe to use during breastfeeding. This will usually be a tablet or capsule to take orally (by mouth) four times a day.
Antibiotics can enter the breast milk in very small doses and may affect your baby. For example:
- your baby may be irritable and restless
- your baby’s stools may be looser (runnier) and more frequent
These effects are usually only temporary and will resolve once you have finished your course of antibiotics. They do not pose a risk to your baby.
Sore nipples
Your nipples may be sore if your baby is not properly attached during feeding. See the box to the right for sources of information that can help you to improve your breastfeeding technique.
If your nipples do not heal, return to your GP because you may have an infection. If you still have mastitis or pain in your breast, your GP may prescribe an oral antibiotic (see ‘infectious mastitis', above).
Sore nipples may also be a sign of thrush, which is a fungal infection that is caused by the yeast fungus candida albicans. If you have thrush you may also have:
- a burning pain in your breast
- very itchy breasts
- pain that is worse at night or after feeding
Your GP can prescribe a cream for your breasts that you will need to apply after every feed for two weeks. Your baby may also need treatment if they have thrush in their mouth. See the Health A-Z topic about Oral thrush in babies for more information and advice.
