A 28 year old lactating mother presents on day 15 postpartum with unilateral breast pain, erythema over one quadrant, and fever of 38.6 degrees Celsius. There is no fluctuant mass. She is anxious about continuing breastfeeding. The most appropriate advice regarding feeding is:
- A Stop feeding from both breasts until antibiotics are completed
- B Continue frequent feeding from the affected breast with expression of residual milk ✓
- C Feed only from the unaffected breast and suppress lactation on the affected side
- D Discard all milk from the affected breast as it is infective for the infant
Correct answer: B. Continue frequent feeding from the affected breast with expression of residual milk
Explanation
In lactational mastitis, continued emptying of the affected breast by feeding or expression is essential because stasis perpetuates infection. The commonest organism is Staphylococcus aureus, and flucloxacillin or cephalosporins compatible with breastfeeding are given. Milk from the affected breast is not harmful to a term infant. Stopping feeds promotes engorgement, worsens stasis, and predisposes to abscess formation.
Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.