Mastitis is inflammation of the mammary gland (breast). This condition is mainly confined to breastfeeding mothers. Mastitis is usually an acute condition or, in rare cases, it may be persistent (chronic). Problems with recurrent mastitis are usually the result of irregular breastfeeding patterns: missing feeds, giving bottles in place of breastfeeds, or skipping expressing sessions when separated from the baby. Recurrent mastitis may also mean that mother's immune system is generally run down, often because of fatigue and stress. Breast inflammation that is not related to breast-feeding sometimes occurs as a result of infection elsewhere in the body, spreading by way of the blood. Acute mastitis can also occur, although not often, as part of a mumps infection, from the spread of mumps virus to the breast.

The common form of acute mastitis occurs during breast-feeding and is caused by infection that enters through a crack or an abrasion (break in the skin) in a nipple. The germ most commonly involved is Staphylococcus aureus, the same germ that causes boils and impetigo.

Mastitis is characterised by the symptoms of pain, swelling (the breast often appearing lumpy, hard, with ropiness, or a “caked”/dimpling look), redness, and tenderness. It may also be accompanied by flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills and aching joints. In the course of an acute mastitis infection, some of the lymph nodes in the armpit may become enlarged and tender, a tell tale sign of infection. It can occur in a single breast, simultaneously in both or can alternate sides.

Homeopathic treatment is excellent for the treatment of mastitis and other afflictions of breast-feeding such as blocked ducts, abscesses, low or overabundant milk supply and cracked nipples. It is a much safer option than the orthodox antibiotic approach. Some common homeopathic remedies for mastitis include:

• Phytolacca: extremely effective in the early stages, and can be taken from the first sign of a mastitis attack. Symptoms include sore breasts and/or cracked nipples where the shooting pain extends outward from the nipple to other parts of the body. The breasts are characteristically hard, nodular and lumpy.
• Belladonna: Characterised by engorged, red, hot, inflamed breasts accompanied by red streaks. The pain is throbbing and milk supply is commonly overabundant. The right breast is mostly affected.
• Bryonia: Most often left sided mastitis. Hard, painful (stitching pain), engorged, pale breasts indicate this remedy. Any movement is unbearable and fever, an unquenchable thirst and depression often accompany.
• Lac Caninum: Great for mastitis that occurs in both breasts simultaneously or moves from one side to the other, even back again. There is often a “gushing” over supply problem, or symptoms occur when weaning.

Other measures you can employ include:

• Breastfeeding should be continued as normal. This may be painful at first but frequent feeding will help to relieve the mastitis - using a variety of positions may be helpful in reducing pain. Avoid missing feeds thus avoiding breast engorgement. Don't restrict the length of feeds. Small, red, painful breast lumps near the nipple suggest blocked milk ducts. Try offering a breast in this condition first so that it will be better emptied. Express milk from the affected breast if it hasn’t been fed from enough. Avoid sudden weaning.
• Hot showers or alternating hot and cold compresses will help to relieve the pain. Cold compresses relieve pain; warmth increases circulation, which mobilises infection-fighters in the inflamed area. ;This can be done every 2-4 hours, for 5-10 minutes at a time.
• Ensure that you get plenty of rest while symptoms subside. Mastitis is an illness, so take a leave from all responsibilities other than breastfeeding. Take your baby to bed with you and feed. Rest relieves stress and replenishes your immune system.
• Drink lots of water.
• Avoid sleeping on your stomach or so far over on your side that your breasts are compressed against the mattress.
• Ensure your bra isn’t cutting/ill-fitting and causing a blocked-duct and subsequent mastitis.
• Massage your breasts as the baby feeds, especially during “letdown” (prickling sensation). This increases circulation, helps to loosen any blocked ducts in the area and optimises local immune function. Alternatively, run a plastic fine toothcomb over a bar of soap and gently “comb” your breasts from the highest or lowest point, towards the nipple.
• Encourage blood flow to the area, by doing some vigorous arm swinging exercises.
• If you do choose antibiotics, ensure you take acidophilus every 2 hours after each dose of antibiotics (any sooner and the antibiotics will kill the good bacteria in the acidophilus). This will minimise digestive problems and thrush in yourself and your baby. Acidophilus powder can also be applied externally to your nipples to prevent oral thrush in your baby or nipple thrush for you from cross-infection from your baby’s mouth.