Ask Anne… Question: My baby is three months old and is exclusively breastfed. Recently, I developed mastitis, and my doctor prescribed an antibiotic. Every time I’ve taken an antibiotic in the past, I’ve developed a vaginal yeast infection. I’d like to keep that from happening again, especially since I’ve read that I might get yeast on my nipples and my baby might get …
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Some mothers nurse several babies and never experience plugged ducts or mastitis (breast infection), while others have recurrent episodes. There are many reasons for these problems to occur, but treatment is essentially the same: rest, apply heat, breastfeed often on the affected side, and use antibiotics only when medically necessary. A plugged, or clogged, duct is a sore, tender lump …
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Ask Anne… Question: I’m nursing my 3 month old and haven’t had any nipple soreness since the first few days after she was born. However, for the past week my right nipple has been very sore. At the end of every feeding, the tissue at the center of my nipple is white. There isn’t any pus or discharge, but it is very painful. …
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Ask Anne… Question: I am currently breastfeeding my fourth child and he is four weeks old. Breastfeeding was going well until a week ago. Now when he latches on to eat it causes me tremendous pain. It even hurts just to stretch my arms up. I bought a tube of lanolin because I was told it would work wonders, but …
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Ask Anne… Question: I have recently developed eczema on my breasts. It itches a lot and has made my nipples sore. My dermatologist just started me on a topical cream. When she latches on, it itches, and I’m worried that the breastfeeding is irritating it and making it worse. Is this unusual? Answer: Eczema on the nipples is not uncommon. …
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Ask Anne… Question: I had plugged ducts and breast infections 5 times when I was nursing my first baby I lived on antibiotics and ultrasounds. Nothing I tried worked, and the pain was excruciating. How can I reduce the chance of this happening again with my second child? Answer: I hate that you had so many problems with soreness and breast …
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Breastfeeding Basics