Ambulance 912HAP 9252
Back to all symptoms and conditions
General health information

Mastitis during breastfeeding

Mastitis is inflammation of the breast that often starts when milk does not drain well. The breast may become warm, painful and swollen and you may feel flu-like. Continuing to feed normally is usually safe and helps.

In this article
Choose which sections to read

  • Mastitis is an inflammatory process in the breast during breastfeeding or expressing. It often starts with tissue swelling and milk build-up and may sometimes progress to bacterial infection.
  • Part of one breast becomes painful, warm, hard or swollen; fever, shivering and a flu-like feeling may occur.
  • Usually, continue feeding the baby on demand. Giving milk from the affected breast is generally safe, and normal milk drainage helps recovery.
  • Do not try to empty the breast aggressively. Extra expressing and firm deep massage may instead increase swelling, milk production and tissue damage.
  • Rest, a cool compress, suitable pain relief and help with positioning/attachment are the first steps.
  • Call the same day if you become ill quickly, continue to have significant fever/illness, suspect an abscess or do not improve after 12 to 24 hours of appropriate measures.
  • Confusion, fainting, severe breathlessness or rapid severe deterioration may be sepsis: call 912.

Your response

Two anonymous questions

Did you find what you were looking for?

Do you now have a clearer idea of your next step?

Share article

Email

Do you need a healthcare provider after reading?

Search by type of care, organisation, name or district.

Further reading

Browse A–Z
W
Whooping coughWhooping cough is an infectious respiratory illness that often starts like an ordinary cold and can later cause severe coughing fits. Young babies in particular are at risk of serious symptoms, including pauses in breathing, turning blue and exhaustion. It spreads through coughing and sneezing, often before it is clear that the illness is whooping cough. Vaccination, including during pregnancy, helps protect babies but does not completely prevent illness.
S
Sticky eyes in babiesSticky or watery eyes in a baby are often caused by a tear duct that is still narrow or blocked, especially if the white of the eye is not red. Redness, swollen eyelids, a lot of pus, fever or signs of illness may indicate an infection. A red eye or pus from the eye in a newborn always needs prompt medical assessment.
R
Reactive arthritisReactive arthritis is an inflammatory reaction in joints that usually develops one to several weeks after an infection of the bowel, urinary tract or genitals. The bacterium is usually not in the joint, but a warm, swollen joint with fever must first be assessed for an actual joint infection.