What is Mastitis?

Mastitis is a painful inflammation of the breast tissue that can lead to a bacterial infection. Anyone can get mastitis, but it is most common in women who are breastfeeding. Mastitis can occur in one or both breasts.

Symptoms of Mastitis

The symptoms of mastitis can vary from mild to severe. Common symptoms include:

• Redness, warmth and swelling of the breast
• Pain in the breast
• A fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Nipple discharge

Causes of Mastitis

The most common cause of mastitis is a blocked milk duct or a narrowed duct. When a milk duct becomes blocked, milk backs up and can become infected. Other causes of mastitis include:

• Cracks in the nipples
• Poor breastfeeding technique and incorrect latch
• Illness, such as a cold or the flu
• Premature birth
• Use of certain medications, such as steroids
• Immunocompromised state

How can our heat and ice packs help?

Heat packs can help with mastitis because they increase blood flow to the area, which can help to reduce inflammation and pain. Heat can also help to relax muscles, which can make it easier to breastfeed or express milk. Icing the breast after feeding or expressing helps to reduce inflammation. It is important to rest the breast between feeds to help the healing process.

Here are some of the ways our breast packs can help with mastitis:

• Increase blood flow. Heat increases blood flow to the area, which can help to bring white blood cells to the infection site. This can help to fight off the infection and reduce inflammation.
• Relax muscles. Heat can also help to relax muscles, which can make it easier to breastfeed or express milk. When milk is not flowing freely, it can lead to engorgement and pain. Heat can help to loosen up the milk ducts and make it easier for milk to flow.
• Reduce pain. Heat can also help to reduce pain by stimulating the production of endorphins. Endorphins are natural pain relievers that can help to reduce the severity of pain associated with mastitis.

If you are experiencing mastitis, it is important to see a doctor or lactation consultant as soon as possible. However, heat and ice packs can be a helpful way to relieve pain and inflammation at home.

Here are some of the benefits from Ice Ice Booby for using our Breast Packs for mastitis:

• Reduce pain and inflammation. The ice pack or heat pack can help to reduce pain and inflammation in the affected area.
• Encourage milk flow. Heat can help to encourage milk flow, which can be helpful for mothers who are breastfeeding. Use our warmed up heat packs BEFORE a feed to help encourage the flow of milk.
• Promote healing. The cold or heat from the pack can help to promote healing in the affected area.
• Reduce swelling. The cold from the pack can help to reduce swelling in the affected area. Use our frozen breast packs AFTER a feed to provide instant relief.

If you are experiencing pain or inflammation associated with childbirth or breastfeeding, a breast and perineal remedial ice and heat pack can be a helpful way to relieve your symptoms.

If you think you have mastitis, it is important to see your doctor right away. Early treatment can help to prevent serious complications.