Why can’t I just have the flu?
Once again I refuse to have the flu like a normal person! Last time it turned out to be Laelia (then known as Peanut) hiding in my uterus like a bad baby. Well this pseudo-flu just got worse and worse and finally turned out to be mastitis. Oh I made a link. Everybody be impressed now.
So Saturday night/Sunday morning I had a fever, chills, headache, nausea, body aches and a terrible lump in my breast that hurt like crazy and created puffy red lines. I had cold washcloths on my neck and forehead, but was under seven blankets. The body aches affected my hips so much that they couldn’t touch the bed so I had to lift and lower them all night. I got antibiotics yesterday and today I am finally feeling well enough to lift my head up. Yes it was that bad!
Baby didn’t understand why I cried when she breastfed. (I also threw up after pumping from the pain.) I went to the doctor yesterday and he told me to keep the breast empty but stop breastfeeding my child on it despite what I read online, and to use formula until we are certain the infection is gone. He said the infection can go to baby.
Charley took yesterday and today home from work taking care of me and baby–although I’m not sure which job was harder… or who cried for him more. 
Lucky for us, one of Charley’s coworkers, Danielle, made us a bunch of meals that Charley just had to pop in the microwave and serve up. Plus my auntie Linda R. and cousin Dolly had sent some frozen meals in the mail (I didn’t even know you could do that) so we’re set!
When baby was handed to me, she would cuddle and breastfeed (on the good breast) for over an hour. I think she just missed me. I was just so afriad I would make her sick that she was put in her box or swing. Now that I know what it is, she sleeps next to me.
I look terrible, but I’m doing better. Baby also looks terrible, but that’s only because Charley still can’t figure out cleaning her face. Poor thing.
December 12th, 2007 at 1:22 am
Quick update: We were having trouble getting Laelia on formula and everything (I mean EVERYTHING) we were reading was telling us to breastfeed through the mastitis. So we called the breastfeeding hotline number we were given at the hospital where Laelie was born and they said to absolutely keep breastfeeding on both sides. The infection only affects tissue and not milk. They did a study where the infection was introduced to milk and the breastmilk was killing it. The lady we talked to had never heard a doctor tell anyone to switch to formula for mastitis. She got the name of the prescription I was on and sure enough it is really mild (so safe for baby). The only reason to switch to formula is if the antibiotics were too powerful, but then you stop breastfeeding on *both* sides never just one. Weird. My doctor was so direct about me giving my baby infection through the mastitis. Everyone else disagrees. So we’re kinda mad about the inconvenience to say the least.
~Alexis
December 12th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
I’m so sorry! I had mastitis twice so I totally feel for you about the pain. Chris was in California and I was so sick I wasn’t sure if I could make it from the bathroom to the couch and back…David and I lived in the living room. Try putting really HOT washcloths on the skin where the lump is, it really helped me and I know that it hurts, but try to massage the lump during that to help break it up. And what a stupid stupid doctor for making you worry (even more and especially while you are sick!)! I’m so glad you guys checked with another source!