What You Need to Know About Mastitis
Mastitis is one of those words you hope you never hear during your breastfeeding journey—but if you do, you're not alone. It’s more common than many moms realize, and while it can feel overwhelming, mastitis is treatable and recoverable with the right care and support.
If you’ve been dealing with a clogged or plugged duct that just isn’t getting better, or you’ve suddenly developed a fever, redness, or chills—let’s talk about what might be going on and how to help your body heal.
What Is Mastitis?
Think of mastitis as existing on a spectrum of breast inflammation. On one end, you may have a clogged duct… milk is still flowing, but there’s a tender, hard area in your breast. If inflammation increases, and especially if milk flow becomes restricted, mastitis can follow.
There are two types of mastitis:
Non-infectious (inflammatory) mastitis: which is caused by milk stasis and tissue swelling
Infectious mastitis: which occurs when bacteria enter the breast, often through a cracked nipple or skin opening or when milk stasis is prolonged
Both types share similar symptoms, and both are part of the same inflammation spectrum that might begin with a clogged duct.
What Mastitis Feels Like
You might have mastitis if you’re experiencing:
A tender, swollen area of your breast
Redness or warmth
Flu-like symptoms like chills, body aches, or a fever
If you’ve been pushing through a clog or skipping feeds (even unintentionally), your body may be signaling that it needs a reset. It can come on suddenly—and it can escalate quickly. That’s why it’s important to address symptoms early and not wait for them to get worse.
If you think you have mastitis…
You don’t have to stop breastfeeding, nor start pumping like crazy, but it does mean your body needs support. Left unaddressed, inflammation can worsen, milk supply may drop, and feeding can become more painful and stressful for both you and your baby.
What you don’t need
You don’t need to power-pump all day, take a dozen supplements, or suffer through “drain the breast at all costs” advice. In fact, some of the most common tips shared online can actually make mastitis worse.
You dont need to rush to call your OB-GYN for antibiotics. The majority of mastitis cased are non-infectious and will resolve on their own with the proper, timely care.
Avoid excessive heat or vigorous massage—this can increase inflammation and tissue damage rather than relieve it.
What you do need
Every case of mastitis is different. There are safe, effective ways to reduce inflammation, keep milk flowing, and help you feel better quickly… but the best plan depends on your symptoms, your history, and your goals. The goal is to reduce inflammation, keep milk moving regularly, and support your body’s healing. You’ll also need to find the source to ensure you are able to properly decrease the inflammation as well as avoid mastitis in the future.
You can also consider adding Choline to your routine…
This is my favorite choline supplement.
Many moms hear about using supplements like sunflower lecithin to help with clogged ducts, but choline may actually be a better choice. Choline, which is naturally found in foods like eggs and soy, helps support the structure of breast tissue and assists in preventing milk from thickening and potentially causing clogs.
If you’re dealing with breast pain, a clogged duct that’s not going away, or signs of mastitis, don’t wait it out. Early support is the key to preventing complications, protecting your milk supply, and avoiding an infection of some kind.
We offer personalized consultations to help you recover, feel confident, and continue breastfeeding comfortably. Oh, and we will help you prevent mastitis in the future🙌
You don’t have to suffer this alone, figure it out through TikTok, nor rush to call your OB-GYN—we’re here for you.
