Fix Your Breastfeeding Mastitis with This New Protocol, Courtesy of Heather O'Neal & Maureen Farrell from The Milk Minute Podcast
Show Notes:
"What can I do to treat my mastitis?" It happens to so many mamas, and it can be painful, overwhelming, and just the absolute worst. ๐ญ But don't worry, I've got some incredible birth professionals from the Milk Minute Podcast here to help!
[1:11] Our reviewer of the week is Shannon Venus Taylor, and she says: “Hi! I absolutely love this Podcast as a Doula and first time mom I started listening to this podcast when I was 8 weeks pregnant. The information you share with your community is golden. This podcast has not only helped me improve my methods as a Doula but also provided me with a sense of ease and confidence during my home birth and postpartum journey. I will continue to recommend your Podcast to future clients and anyone in the birth community. ๐๐ฝ”
To all of my birth professionals who are listening, thank you for following along! I hope this is a place where you can soak up all the information. If you’re a new mom, I hope you’re enjoying the information here too! ๐
[2:12] I have two very special guests with me today from the Milk Minute Podcast. They are both midwives and lactation professionals. Heather O’Neal is a CNM and IBCLC and Maureen Farrell is a CLC and DEM.
[2:43] Heather and Maureen introduce themselves and how they got started in the birthing space. Heather speaks about how they started the Milk Minute Podcast, which is a podcast all about “lactation goodness.” ๐ง
[6:38] There is a new mastitis protocol! ๐คฏ Maureen and Heather are going to give us all the details! Maureen talks about what mastitis is and the old protocol was for treating it. A clogged duct causes inflammation and can cause bacteria to grow.
[9:02] Heather talks about the treatments that we need to STOP doing to treat mastitis. ๐
- Applying excessive amounts of heat
- Vibration
- Aggressive massage
- Epsom salt soaks
- Turning the pump up trying to remove the clog
[9:35] Heather gives us the details on what the clog is and let me tell you, if you’re easily grossed out, just skip over the next minute or so. ๐ฉ
[11:14] Since we are now treating mastitis like we would treat an injury, you need to use ice, ibuprofen/Motrin, and continue to feed/pump on that breast (not aggressively). Within 24 hours, if you’re feeling better, great! Keep doing what you’re doing! ๐ง
[12:21] If you start pumping more than what your baby needs, your milk ducts will not be happy with you! ๐ก
[12:47] Antibiotics have been way overprescribed by providers! With almost every case of mastitis, antibiotics were prescribed. ABM is now seeing that antibiotics are not always needed for mastitis. ๐
[16:07] There is something that told me early on that I didn’t need antibiotics every time I felt like I was getting mastitis. I recommend to mamas to remove sugar and dairy, start a honey tea with apple cider vinegar, chew a clove of garlic with honey morning and night, drink tons of water, and take Vitamin C. ๐ฏ
[18:00] When you have a clogged duct, have your baby’s chin face the clogged duct. I ask Maureen and Heather to weigh in on the “protocol” I’ve been recommending to mamas.
[18:35] The new protocol says there’s no evidence that dangle feeding works (mentioned above), however, having your breast lifted up over your chest may help the inflammation drain out. Feed your baby however feels good to you! ๐ผ
[19:36] Maureen recommends that if sleep and rest are not an option, get a prescription filled just in case you need it. ๐งพ The other options you try may not bring relief, and it’s great to have the antibiotics on hand.
[20:46] Women should feel supported throughout their breastfeeding journey. Use the resources you have. ๐
[21:48] Maureen talks about the different types of bacteria that can be found in causing mastitis. Staph loves to create the mastitis. We have bacteria in our bodies, and staph causes the heat/redness/swelling in the duct. ๐ฆ
[23:56] Heather talks about the different levels of mastitis: inflammatory mastitis > bacterial mastitis > galactoceles (ball of milk near the areola) > phlegmon > abscess (which will physically need to be drained). ๐
[26:14] Milk Minute is giving us a FREE download about mastitis! ๐ฅณ
[27:39] Heather talks about “nipple blebs”. Strap in people, it gets gross! ๐ฅด Your body may grow a “skin blanket” over where the milk is supposed to come out. She also talks about some ways you can try to treat it.
[29:28] Here’s where you can find the Milk Minute Podcast:
If you want to book a private lactation consult:
[31:01] I’m so grateful that women can have access to resources like the Milk Minute Podcast. ๐
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