How to Fight Mastitis Naturally
Here’s what I want you to know right off the bat : I’ve had 5 babies and have breastfed all of them. Through the last 10 years, I’ve had mastitis 3 or 4 times. Sometimes I have fought it off naturally with homeopathic remedies and techniques I’ve learned through my years of breastfeeding, and sometimes I’ve ordered the antibiotics because I couldn’t imagine facing the next day with my small children, feverish, in so much pain. You make the best call for YOU!
With that said, I always try everything I can before calling in that Rx, and it’s developed into QUITE a long list. This last time I got mastitis 2 weeks ago was intense. I even called in the Rx, but it’s still sitting on my counter because I never had to use it! My remedies started working right when I thought I couldn’t take it any more. If you can give it 3 days and do everything you possibly can, that’s usually when things turn around.
I’ll include links to my research backed, mama recommended remedies below! I’ll cite all my sources as I go if you want to explore for yourself. PLEASE do your own research and know I’m no doctor. Don’t take it as medical advice ;). But you can take it as big sister advice! I’ve had 7 cumulative years of breastfeeding experience, and I’ve learned a few things along the way!
Shout outs to my big sister Mary Lindsey (mama of 7), my Aunt Annie Pi (La Leche League expert for 30+ years and mama of 4), my friend Liz (mama of 6), my neighbor Liz (mama of 3 and my homeopathic go-to), and my friends Cam (mama of 3) and Lauren (Mama of 5). Almost all of these recommendations are a compilation of what I’ve learned through the years plus their wisdom, experiences and resources from me texting them in the middle of the night and all throughout the day the last few weeks.
Now mama, let’s get you better!
Things to do immediately when noticing a clogged duct:
Nurse nurse nurse. Always start on the side of the clog! Also try Dangle feeding, while positioning your baby’s chin towards the side of the clogged duct.
Lots of hydration! Water and one LMNT a day is my favorite way to stay on top of it.
Make 1 adrenal cocktail a day : Fill a large glass with 1/2 coconut water, 1/2 orange juice, a scoop of collagen and a pinch of salt. Mix well and drink!
Ice packs every other hour. Research shows that cold therapy is much better for the inflammation in clogged ducts and mastitis than hot soaks and compresses. This is a recent change - I was told lots of soaking and warmth when I had Milly 10 years ago! But now : it’s ICE baby! (Read this and scroll down to “treatments no longer recommended” )
Breast gymnastics! Thanks to Aloha Nutrition and Maya Bolman and my big sister for teaching me about this!
Lymphatic Drainage Massage (You can also youtube videos of this which are helpful. Just know they use real life examples 😉)
Use the hakaa at night if you go longer stretches to get some relief.
Things to take / supplement:
Postnatal vitamins that include at least 300mg choline ( I love these !! Highly recommend. Apparently that choline is very important!)
Extra vitamin C! This liposomal vitamin C is strong but effective - I took one a day the first two days, then switched to half a dose a day after that.
Sunflower lecithin - I always have a bottle of this on hand. It is said to thin out the fatty part of your milk so it can work its way through the milk ducts easier. I take 1-2 each day.
Homeopathies : Boiron Phytolacca Decandra 30C - hold a pellet under your tongue until it dissolves once an hour. I have MUCH to learn about homeopathies, but this was recommended to me by my friend Cameron and my neighbor Liz. This is an interesting site to learn more.
Colloidal silver : Take up to 7 teaspoons a day, and hold it under your tongue for 1 minute before swallowing
Oil of Oregano acts as a natural antibiotic. You could also take crushed garlic as a natural antibiotic as well.
Things to help with inflammation and releasing the clogged ducts
Red light therapy : I have a lumebox and have used it a ton!
Castor Oil : My neighbor Liz said to just soak a pad with it and stick it in your bra if you don’t have an official Castor Oil pack. I ended up ordering my own bottle.
I hope this helps! As I type this, I JUST recovered from mastitis - aches, fever, inflammation and all. It took weeks to completely kick it. But I never had to use the antibiotics I ordered and I’m so grateful!
Keep going mama! You’re doing GREAT 🫶🏻 And if you have any other recommendations, leave a comment!
*affiliate links are used in this post!
