Mastitis

Just make sure you are expressing/feeding as much as possible. Massaging the lumps then expressing in the shower (under the warm water) can help move them too, but the best thing really is to feed as often as possible - try massaging while you're feeding as well.

I think on the 3 or so occasions I had mastitis (albeit never very badly), it took maybe a few days to move the lumps, and that was with religious massaging/feeding/expressing. Just be aware that if you don't clear out the infected milk, absesses can form (or at least I was told that! )

I agree with the others regarding massaging the lumps while you feed. Also if you can position baby so that their chin is on the lump when they feed and they will massage it out for you.

With me the lump generally goes straight away with antibiotics.
I would go back to the doc though just in case. As Blondy said an absess can form if it isn't cleared. Also if the infection doesn't clear it can track to your lymph glands and according to my doc you don't want that!

Yeah I would go back, I've had mastitis 6 times and every time the lumps have cleared within a couple of days of starting the antibiotics.

Also second the massaging etc. How many antibiotics do you have left? cos if you still have lumps when they run out the infection might come straight back. If you have enough to last the weekend i would see doc on Monday but if not you might want to think about going to after hours over the weekend.

going back to Dr on monday now, wanted to go this morning but no appointments...we kinda dont have an after hours place here either nor does the chemist remain open late! So i am hoping that I feel okay til monday....i don't feel sick or anything just lumpy!

Well, I am now on my third round of antibiotics...it seemed I was better, then Liam had a growth spurt then spent the next day sleeping and my boobs were out of control and sadly I was a bit dumb and didn't express while he was asleep (mainly coz I didn't expect him to sleep so long).

ANYWAY...my point is, though I tried all the things it says to do including cabbage leaves, it is now getting worse even on antibiotics. I had read somewhere that you should not put cabbage leaf on for longer than 15 minutes but then I decided to google it today to see why it is supposed to work and it says can leave on for 2 hours then off for two hours and also supposed to squish the leaves a bit to presumably release the good stuff.

So what was everyone else advised? The information that I was given by the Dr was just to place a cabbage leaf on my boob but no instructions other than that..so was just leaving it on til it warmed up...but reading on the net, the warming up part is good because heating cabbage leaf also releases stuff.

Any ideas people! Coz I am so sick of feeling like crap!!!

Ps I am doing all the other things but just need advice on cabbage leaf since it seems to be a miracle cure hehe

Ooo you poor thing! Masitis is nasty. I've had it many times and one thing that really helped me was cabbage leaves. They have a substance in them that helps reduce milk production and clear the blockages. Keep a cabbage in the fridge (the cold leaves feel great on a hot, sore breast) and use a couple of times a day but for no more than 20 minutes at a time (they can dry your milk up otherwise). Make sure you cut a hole for your nipple, not sure why but you aren't supposed to put the leaves over your nipples. Then before you feed use hot flannels or a hot pack to help the milk let down. Keep up your antibots and take anti-inflammatories as well.
Good luck and I hope you are feeling better soon.

Well just wanted to update on this...ended up with a breast abcess and needed an operation..not just a needle to drain either but full on knocked out one.
Feels a whole lot better now but the moral of the story is that if things don't clear up on antibiotics and it feels hard and seems to be growing then get your dr to send you for an ultrasound as it is soooo not worth the agony I have been through (tho does not compare to childbirth haha).
And also it is horrid feeling so sore when you have a precious little baby to care for so best to get it sorted ASAP.