You may have heard that you don’t need to treat mastitis with antibiotics right away. But, you’re in pain, and you’re wondering what you can do in the meantime. Luckily, most women with lactational mastitis have inflammatory mastitis that improves with supportive care. The trick is to catch it before it progresses to bacterial mastitis.
Lactational mastitis refers to inflammation of the mammary gland that usually begins with ductal inflammation and narrowing. If inflammatory mastitis persists, it can lead to bacterial mastitis, breast abscess, chronic/subacute mastitis and more. Symptoms of lactational mastitis include pain, swelling, and redness. If it persists, you can even develop flu-like symptoms such as fevers, chills, and muscle aches.
The good news is that many cases of mastitis improve with supportive care and natural treatments. Some of my favorite natural treatments include contrast hydrotherapy, individualized homeopathy, herbs, and probiotics*. Of course, see your doctor if you suspect that you have mastitis.
One of my favorite methods of supportive care for mastitis is contrast hydrotherapy. This may be controversial because current protocols have moved away from recommending heat with mastitis, but if used appropriately, it can be very helpful. Contrast hydrotherapy may decrease inflammation and pain. It includes alternating hot and cold compresses. Using a compress, apply heat to the painful area for 3 minutes followed by 1 minute of cold. Repeat this for a total of 3 times always ending with cold. Complete the contrast hydrotherapy a few times throughout the day.
I also frequently use individualized homeopathy as supportive care for mastitis. Homeopathy is an individualized system of medicine based on the person’s individualized symptoms. The remedies are diluted making them safe for lactation**. Phytolacca and Bryonia are two frequently used homeopathic remedies for mastitis. Phytolacca is commonly used if the breast is swollen, lumpy, hard and painful. The discoloration may be slightly purple instead of red. Commonly, moms who react well to homeopathic Phytolacca have extreme pain on nursing that radiates outward from the nipple and sometimes radiates to the whole body. Frequently there are also cracked nipples. Bryonia is used if the breast is hard, painful, and may be very swollen or engorged. The pain is worse with even the slightest movement and seems to feel better with pressure. There are many many homeopathic remedies used for mastitis. Because homeopathy is individualized and based on symptoms, I recommend working with a naturopathic doctor well-versed in homeopathy or a homeopath. Curious about homeopathy? Check out my Introduction to Homeopathy Mini-Course.
Using lactation safe herbs may also be helpful as supportive care for mastitis. One of my favorite herbs for mastitis is echinacea. Echinacea is immune modulating and anti-inflammatory. If taken frequently at the first signs of inflammation, it can halt the progression to bacterial mastitis.
Finally, there is some evidence that probiotics are helpful in prevention and treatment of mastitis. The probiotics should include L. salivarius or L. fermentum strains. Probiotics can be very helpful for those prone to recurrent or subacute mastitis. There may even be some benefit to taking the probiotic in the third trimester. See the WHB Shop for the Probiotic Complete.
These are just a few of the many natural treatments and adjunctive care for mastitis. Need support with mastitis? Find ways to work with my here: Services.
*For educational purposes only. Check with your doctor before taking any supplement, homeopathic remedy, or herb. This blog is not intended to diagnose or treat.
**This section refers to homeopathic preparations ONLY (not the herbal preparation)
Sources:
Barker M, Adelson P, Peters MDJ, Steen M. Probiotics and human lactational mastitis: A scoping review. Women Birth. 2020 Nov;33(6):e483-e491. doi: 10.1016/j.wombi.2020.01.001. Epub 2020 Mar 4. PMID: 32146088.
Fernández L, Cárdenas N, Arroyo R, Manzano S, Jiménez E, Martín V, Rodríguez JM. Prevention of Infectious Mastitis by Oral Administration of Lactobacillus salivarius PS2 During Late Pregnancy. Clin Infect Dis. 2016 Mar 1;62(5):568-573. doi: 10.1093/cid/civ974. Epub 2015 Nov 26. PMID: 26611780.
Kvist LJ, Hall-Lord ML, Rydhstroem H, et al. A randomised-controlled trial in Sweden of acupuncture and care interventions for the relief of inflammatory symptoms of the breast during lactation. Midwifery 2007;23:184–195.
Kvist LJ, Larsson BW, Hall-Lord ML, Steen A, Shalén C: The role of bacteria in lactational mastitis and some considerations of the use of antibiotic treatment. Int Breastfeed J. 2008, 3: 6-10.1186/1746-4358-3-6.
Mitchell KB, Johnson HM, Rodríguez JM, Eglash A, Scherzinger C, Zakarija-Grkovic I, Cash KW, Berens P, Miller B; Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Clinical Protocol #36: The Mastitis Spectrum, Revised 2022. Breastfeed Med. 2022 May;17(5):360-376. doi: 10.1089/bfm.2022.29207.kbm. Erratum in: Breastfeed Med. 2022 Nov;17(11):977-978. PMID: 35576513.