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<h1>Breastfeeding - www.breastfeeding.org.nz</h1>

Mastitis


What is mastitis?


A blocked milk duct causes mastitis. It is an inflammation of the breast and does not mean that there is an infection but blocked ducts and non-infective mastitis can lead to an infective mastitis if left untreated.

Mothers with mastitis should continue breastfeeding. It is very important to remove milk from the breast at regular intervals to avoid areas in the breast becoming blocked but if there is no improvement within twenty-four hours, and/or the mother feels unwell with ‘flu-like’ symptoms and a temperature, she may then have infective mastitis and will need to take a course of antibiotics for at least 10 days.

If the mastitis turns into an infection and antibiotics are necessary, mothers can continue breastfeeding. If there are problems breastfeeding she can express milk for the baby. Practical advice can be provided by their Lead Maternity Carer (LMC).

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Page last reviewed: 31 July 2008


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