Get Rid of Breast Infections Naturally will give you one of the natural remedies to make your life easier and less painful. After all, why suffer through a painful breast infection if you don't have to?
Breastfeeding your baby is definitely the healthiest way to feed them. Breastfeeding is joyful but a breast infection can be very painful.
It can make a lot of mamas feel like they're not doing breastfeeding "right" or that it's not meant for them.
This couldn't be farther from the truth. You're never broken if breastfeeding doesn't always go perfect the first time. It just means maybe you have to do some more research to make sure it goes the best possible way for you.
Did you know that you can get rid of breast infections naturally?
Having ten children and breastfeeding each of them for a year, I know the joy and convenience breastfeeding brings. Besides helping me lose my baby weight after each child it also saved a lot of money!
With my first several breast infections, I called the doctor and was prescribed antibiotics. While there is certainly a place for antibiotics, they do take a day or two to work, can be expensive and can have side effects.
Once we moved to Switzerland, I was told how to get rid of breast infections naturally and never needed another antibiotic for them!
Truly, this is amazing. Relief happens with this natural solution within hours - it did for me!
If you are reading this, I probably don't have to convince you of the benefits of breastfeeding. It contains many of the naturally occurring compounds that little ones need to be healthy during those first few months. There's just nothing better for little ones during those first few months on earth than a mama's milk.
However, if you are having a breast infection and want to get rid of breast infections naturally, chances are you need some encouragement to continue nursing through it.
The benefits are definitely worth thinking about!
Breastfeeding benefits to the baby:
- Increases the baby's immunity because of the antibody content - colds and viruses are reduced.
- Long-term immunity is increased against chronic health conditions like type 1 diabetes and digestive problems
- Lowers SIDs risk
- Decreases the risk of cancer
- Does not contain the unnecessary ingredients of formula
- Sources: Parents.com, Women's Health, WebMD,
Breastfeeding benefits to the mother:
- Helps you lose the weight gained during pregnancy
- Increased calorie burn - breastfeeding can burn as much as 500 calories a day
- Oxytocin is released during breastfeeding and it helps your uterus contract. This decreases blood loss after delivery and helps your uterus return to normal size more quickly postpartum.
- Less expensive than formula
- Convenience
- Sources: Parents.com, Women's Health, WebMD,
What if breastfeeding is hard for me?
It's perfectly normal to experience challenges with breastfeeding. It doesn't mean that you're broken as a woman, or not fit to be a mama. I'm here to help you overcome this problem, just like all the other mamas out there. You're far from alone in this. There's lots of mamas out there dealing with the same thing. Have faith!
What is a Breast Infection?
A breast infection or mastitis is an inflammation of the breast tissue. The breast has glands that carry the milk from the breast tissue to the nipple.
When a gland becomes clogged, bacteria can build up causing an infection. The most common bacteria causing a breast infection is staphylococcus aureus and second is streptococcus agalactiae.
Signs and Symptoms of a Breast Infection:
- Pain
- Redness
- Red streaks on the breast
- Warmth
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Fever
- Body aches
- Fatigue
Causes of Breast Infections:
- Bacteria (often from the baby's mouth) enters the mammary gland through a crack in the nipple.
- Engorgement and incomplete emptying of the milk
- Hormonal changes can cause the milk ducts to become clogged allowing a build up of bacteria
- Stress and lack of sleep can decrease immunity
- Hygiene
Get Rid of Breast Infections Naturally
To get rid of a breast infection naturally, drink 2 Tbsp. (I took more if I felt that I could) of apple cider vinegar in 8 oz of water every hour. You can warm the water and add honey for a more pleasant drink.
Drink as much as you can tolerate each hour until the symptoms subside.
Once I no longer had symptoms, I would taper off over three days. Drink it three times a day for a day and then two times a day for one day and the third day I would drink it once.
You can also use moist heat to help with the discomfort - warm rag, heating pad, hot shower. And breastfeed frequently.
When I first learned of this natural remedy, I did not know the benefits of raw apple cider. Raw apple cider contains the "mother" which has beneficial enzymes and probiotics. I just used store-bought, regular apple cider vinegar and it worked!
To get rid of breast infections naturally, you will experience faster relief if you begin treatment at the first signs of redness and tenderness. But, it worked for me even after beginning to run a fever!
Throughout my childbearing years, I seemed to be prone to breast infections. So, I took this natural remedy frequently - at the first sign of redness and tenderness. You have to get it right when it begins to have the best results.
In fact, it got to where I would shudder when opening the apple cider vinegar container. ;) But it worked, and I was very happy to be relieved regularly!
To naturally treat breast infections it is as easy as drinking apple cider vinegar! After finding this natural remedy, I never took antibiotics for a breast infection again - it really works!
Know When to See A Doctor
Natural solutions do work, but it is important to recognize when it is wise to see your doctor. There are other things that are important to remember:
- Get plenty of rest
- Nurse frequently
- Using warm damp compresses or heating pad may help with discomfort
- Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water
According to Aviva Romm, M.D., an herbalist, midwife and author of Botanical Medicine for Women's Health,
Herbal treatment for mastitis consists of herbs to treat local inflammation and infection, and those to relieve systemic symptoms associated with fever such as myalgia and chills . . . Improvements are usually seen within 12 to 24 hours, and complete recovery usually occurs in 48 hours. Should symptoms worsen, abcesses form, or treatment not lead to adequate results within 72 hours, medical treatment should be sought.
Get Rid of Breast Infections Naturally
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons or more if tolerated apple cider vinegar (preferably raw but not necessary)
- 8 oz water heated if desired
- honey to taste optional
Instructions
-
Mix the apple cider vinegar and water together.
-
Add honey if desired.
-
Drink every hour until the symptoms subside.
-
After symptoms subside, taper off by drinking 3 times per day, 2 times per day and finally one time for the last three days.
Notes
When the symptoms of an infection are gone, taper off the apple cider drink by taking 3 times a day then twice a day and finally once a day.
Have you tried a natural solution for breast infections? If so, what has worked for you?
Lilian says
I find this article interesting as am just wondering what to do with the painful lump at my nipple causing my baby not to be able to latch and feed, I can only pump. Please this lump is big and I the doctors have given me antibiotics but it didn't clear. Am wondering if this will work for me since the infection/abscess has stayed over a week. I don't like the idea of being cut open especially as am breastfeeding.
Dina-Marie says
Lilian, I really cannot give medical advice and I have not had any experience with an abscess like you describe - sorry!
Lalitha says
Hi Dina,
I am mother of 2 month old boy.A big lump is formed in my right breast.I am experiencing high fever and chills and lot of pain too.I feel terrible.I saw doctor and taking antibiotics now.Doctor told me that lump not developed to the extent they should cut and remove the lump.I am from India.I am going to try your advice.Will.it work for me.
Dina-Marie says
Lalitha, please let me know how it goes for you!
Savita says
Hi pls let me know if it works, I have same peoblem
Winifred Coolwell says
Hi, I've had a lump in my breast 2/3yrs now & it does get painful when it's getting ready to burst with pus/blood, went to the Dr's cos I was worried it might've been cancerous but it's not, I suffered from an ingrown nipple for years from having kids n just put it down to that bringing on the cyst/abscess. I have used Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother in it (& I was told that it won't work if you don't get the one with the Mother in it) before when I had Shingles & it was working for me with that, so I do believe it does work and am going to buy again for this cyst/abscess.
Dina-Marie says
Winifred, let me know how it goes! I am so sorry you are having to go through this and will be praying for you!
Erin says
ok.... so I am a big fan of the raw ACV (Braggs)..... and have taken a shot of it before breakfast and dinner every day for years (even while pregnant last year).
Fast forward to my daughter being born..... and i continued to take it as usual....... but was worried bc she was super gassy and would cry.
Then i looked into it and read that the raw, unpasturized vinegar was not good during pregnancy or breastfeeding bc it could harm the baby with bacteria not removed in the pasturization process.
All that being said.... I stopped drinking it a week ago.... and 3 days ago ended up with a clogged duct (maybe mastitis, not sure)..... and this is the first time that i have yet to be able to clear it......and i feel horrible!
So my question is this (bc ive read so many different things):
is the raw vinegar really harmful to babies during breastfeeding? Do you think my stopping is the reason I got the plug and cant clear it?
I love the benefits, but not at the cost of hurting my baby girl.
What do you think?
Dina-Marie says
Hi Erin, when I first learned of this natural solution, I did not know the benefits of raw ACV and just used the pasteurized. I now know and take advantage of the benefits of raw but the pasteurized does work well. I found this on Healthline, about raw apple cider vinegar, "There’s no research proving that ACV specifically is either safe or unsafe for pregnancy." and encourage you to read the article. Healthline is the standard for traditional medicine and if you are concerned (and I understand you are only wanting the best for your child) I would just use regular ACV until you are finished breastfeeding and not pregnant. I hope this helps.