Breastfeeding can be a rewarding and intimate experience for parents and their newborns, but it can also come with challenges. At The Monkey Mashup, we help parents who are breastfeeding to help them overcome these challenges and create a positive experience. Whether it is navigating latch issues, managing milk supply, or dealing with mastitis, having access to resources and support can make all the difference.
Here is this week’s “Monday Mashup”, a quick list of what we are finding useful. If you enjoy it, please feel free to forward it to friends.
Great Advice We Heard
Mastitis, commonly known as “boob flu,” is a condition that affects many lactating women. It occurs when breast tissue becomes inflamed and infected, often due to bacteria entering the breast through a cracked or sore nipple. Symptoms can include breast tenderness, swelling, warmth, redness, and fever.
If left untreated, mastitis can lead to serious infections, so it’s important to seek medical attention if you suspect you may have it. Treatment typically involves antibiotics to fight the infection, pain relievers to alleviate discomfort, and warm compresses or massages to promote milk flow and reduce inflammation. Here are some general guidelines from Pregnant Chicken on how to manage and treat mastitis.
- Nurse on demand. Don’t overfeed in an attempt to “empty” the breast as this will further inflame tissues and add to your issues. (This is a big change from old recommendations.)
- Gentle lymphatic massage from the nipple towards the armpit. Basically just “sweep” the skin from your nipple towards your armpit so your lymphatic system can do what it does and rid your body of the excess fluid.
- Nurse rather than pump to maximize milk removal and prevent trauma to delicate tissues from ill-fitting flanges and suction strength.
This Week’s Article
Start Practicing Self-Compassion Helper of the Week
Miranda Johnson’s passion is helping others improve their well-being and plant seeds of self-love, healing and acceptance. Her goal is to walk with you on this journey to feeling more whole, enlightened, self-loving and self-accepting. Her therapeutic approach and training include evidenced-based techniques to support your healing and growth. And, as always, please give us feedback on Twitter. Which topic above is your favorite? What do you want more or less of? Other suggestions? Please let us know. Just send a tweet to @themonkeymashup and put #themondaymashup at the end so we can find it.
Have a wonderful week, all.
Much love to you and your family,
The Monkey Mashup Staff
This post is brought to you by The Monday Mashup, our very own parenting newsletter that every Monday features a highlight of cool things we’ve found this week, including parenting apps, books, quotes, articles, TV shows, new hacks or tricks – and other helpful stuff we’ve gathered.
It’s free, it’s always going to be useful, and you can subscribe now at themonkeymashup.com/join-our-mailing-list/.
What was your favorite topic from this post? Please let us know in the comments.
SEE BELOW FOR LINKS AND NOTES…
SELECTED LINKS FROM THIS NEWSLETTER ISSUE
Treating the Boob Flu by Pregnant Chicken
Article from The Monkey Mashup, “Start Practicing Self-Compassion”.
Connect with Miranda Johnson, LCSW:
