Common difficulties with breastfeeding
B reast infection (mastitis)
Infection inside the breast can occur if the mother has sore, cracked nipples or full,
engorged breasts, if she wears a very tight bra or binding clothing, or if she is very
tired or in poor health. Preventing these situations will help prevent breast infection.
Signs of breast infection:
• abscess (painful lump in the breast)
• hot, red, sore area on the breast
• body aches and pains
• fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher
For breast infection
• give 500 mg dicloxacillin �����������������������������������������������������by mouth, 4 times a day
for 7 days
or
If you cannot find this medicine, or if the woman is allergic to penicillin
• give 500 mg erythromycin ������������������������������������������������by mouth, 4 times a day for 7 days
For fever and pain
• give 500 to 1000 mg paracetamol ������������������������������by mouth, every 4 hours, until the
pain goes away
If a breast infection is not treated
early, it will get worse. If an abscess
develops and antibiotics do not make it
go away, the woman should see a health
worker who has been trained to drain an
abscess using sterile equipment.
289
A Book for Midwives (2010)