Mastitis:

Mastitis

Mastitis is an infection of the tissues in the breast that results in pain, swelling, redness and warmth in the breast. Often mastitis also includes fever and chills. Mastitis generally affects women who are breast-feeding, but sometimes can occur in women who aren’t breast-feeding.

In most cases mastitis occurs within the first three months after giving birth, but it can occur at any point during breast-feeding. It usually occurs in only one breast. Because it can make many women feel exhausted and weak, sometimes mastitis leads a mother to wean her baby before she would have intended. However, there are no ill effects to the baby when breast-feeding with mastitis.

Mastitis sypmtoms include:

Generally feeling ill

Breast tenderness or warmth to the touch

Swelling of the breast

Pain or burning sensations while breast-feeding or constantly

Redness of skin in breast area

Fever of 101 F or greater

If a breast doesn’t completely empty at feedings, one of your milk ducts can become clogged, causing milk to back up, which can lead to breast infection. Bacteria enters your breast from your skin’s surface and baby’s mouth through milk ducts or a break or crack in the skin of your nipple. Bacteria can multiply, leading to infection. These germs aren’t harmful to your baby but they don’t belong in your breast tissues.

Conditions where mastitis commonly occurs:

Breast-feeding during the first few weeks after birth

Sore or cracked nipples

Using only one position to breast-feed (This may not fully drain your breast)

Wearing a tight-fitting bra, restricting milk flow

Fatigue

Once you have experienced mastitis, it is more likely to occur again. Because essential oils are anti-bacterial and anti-viral, they can assist in your recovery from mastitis.*

dōTERRA Essential oils for Mastitis include:

Geranium oil

Lavender oil

Peppermint oil

Frankincense oil

On Guard blend

Basil oil

Fractionated Coconut oil

Other natural solutions for Mastitis include:

Cabbage Leaves

Hot showers

Cool Compresses

Option 1:

Using 1-2 drops each of Geranium, Lavender, and Peppermint, gently massage from the armpit area working towards the nipple, making sure to avoid contact with the nipple area. Follow with cabbage leaves and a cool compress. Repeat every 1-2 hours until symptoms subside.

Option 2:

Using Fractionated Coconut oil, On Guard blend and Basil oil, gently rub 1 drop of each beginning in the armpit area and work towards the nipple, again being sure to avoid the nipple. Also use 1 drop of each on the bottom of the feet. Take 2 drops Frankincense oil internally with a capsule or under the tongue.

Be sure to get lots of rest while recovering from mastitis.

If none of the above takes care of the infection, it is important to see your doctor immediately as mastitis untreated can make you very, very ill.