Mastitis is an infection of the breast tissue that results in breast pain, swelling, warmth and redness. You may also have fever and chills. Mastitis most commonly affects women who are breast-feeding (lactation mastitis), although sometimes this condition can happen in women who aren’t breast feeding.
In most cases, lactation mastitis happens within the first six to 12 weeks after giving birth (postpartum); however, it can happen later during breast-feeding. The condition caqn cause you to feel run down, making it a challenge to care for your baby.
Sometimes, mastitis leads a mother to wean her baby before she intends to; however, continuing with breast feeding, even while taking an antibiotic for the mastitis, is better for you and your baby.
