Mastitis psychosomatics

What psychosomatics says

In psychosomatics, mastitis is linked to the anxiety of the first weeks of motherhood. Am I doing everything right? Will I have enough milk? Will I cope?

It often comes as if on an exhale: the birth is behind you, the baby is healthy, and the tension you held for months comes out.

Another theme is the feeling that people expect only milk and care from you, and have forgotten about you. Psychosomatics helps you give yourself the support you give your baby.

What it is

Mastitis usually starts with milk stasis, when milk builds up. If milk doesn't drain from part of the breast for a long time, the tissue becomes inflamed, and an infection can get in. That's how the World Health Organization describes it.

According to WHO, mastitis usually affects no more than 10% of breastfeeding moms, and up to 33% in some studies. It most often starts in the 2nd–3rd week after birth, and 74–95% of cases happen in the first 12 weeks.

Women who aren't breastfeeding can get mastitis too. Then the cause is found together with a breast specialist.

Breastfeeding usually continues during mastitis: it helps empty the breast. Your doctor decides on treatment.

How it shows up

• Pain, redness and a hot area in the breast
• A hard, swollen spot
• Fever, chills, weakness
• Cracked, sore nipples

Treatment is prescribed by a breast specialist, a surgeon or a gynecologist.