ok, I’m not REALLY dying, but anyone who has had Mastitis can tell you it sure feels like it!  And why is it that mom’s never get a break from taking care of everyone else, even when they’re deathly sick themselves?  What’s Mastitis? Basically it’s an infection in the breast that moms can get when breastfeeding.  It’s usually caused by a build up of milk supply when the baby isn’t nursing as much as there is milk available, and stress and lack of sleep also contribute.  So when we were traveling with our new 1 month old and visiting family you can imagine how easily all the factors became reality and resulted in mastitis for me.
The symptoms of mastitis are similar to the flu.  For me it started out with body aches.  Then came chills and shivering.  For me all that helps with chills and shivering is a hot bath, so that’s what I did.  Hours after the chills and shivering came fever and sweating like crazy (and I’m not one to sweat much so being wet for hours while just sitting in bed is not fun).  Then came a headache, the kind that feels like a knife stabbing your brain every time you move just a little too sudden.

I never realized how sudden EVERY move is until having a headache like that.  Then there was the sore breast. Mastitis is usually just on one side.  It was sore as if I hadn’t nursed for a long time, but even after I would nurse the baby it still felt sore, specifically in one area, like the milk there didn’t ever empty when she’d nurse.  So it made nursing painful, but necessary because one of the ways to get rid of mastitis is to nurse as often as possible or pump- either one isn’t the most pleasant of experiences during this time.

So basically it’s a lot like the flu, multiplied by both adding a sore breast and a newborn baby that you have to take care of and while you need rest the most are unable to get much.  Even having help with the baby you still have to breastfeed as much as possible which keeps you from just sleeping off the sickness like you could do with the flu.

In order to get rid of mastitis you will most likely have to get an antibiotic.  Combine that with breastfeeding or pumping as often as possible and wearing a tight sports bra, and you’ll feel better in a few days.  Isn’t being a mom just GREAT sometimes?!?
I would not wish this sickness on anyone!  If you get it, my condolences.  And the advice I would give: call the dr asap and get a antibiotic, alternate between hot cocoa and ice water (depending on if your shivering or sweating) so you get lots of fluids, and order pizza for your family for dinner, and don’t hesitate to ask for help!