Breastfeeding Pains & Their Causes
Hello everyone!
Pregnancy, as beautiful as it is, comes with aches, pain, and general discomfort. The human body goes through drastic changes and it preps itself for fetal development and childbirth, and at NutriNatal we are working hard to raise awareness around these conditions and ailments. Today we wanted to talk about lactational mastitis.
According to the International Breastfeeding Journal, “Lactational mastitis is estimated to occur in up to 20% of breastfeeding women”. This condition, also known as puerperal mastitis, is a breast infection or inflammation that commonly affects breastfeeding women. It occurs when milk ducts become engorged for too long, allowing bacteria to enter through cracked or sore nipples and multiply in the milk.
Studies have also shown that genetic factors can play a role in a woman’s likelihood of developing this condition. Despite the severity of this condition, there is hope! Lactational mastitis can be treated with dietary changes, specifically by eating anti-inflammatory foods, probiotic-rich foods, prebiotic-rich foods, and natural antibiotics. These include, but are not limited to:
- Yogurt
- Nuts
- Avocado
- Green vegetables
For more information around lactational mastitis, be sure to check out the Cleveland Mayo Clinic, and stay tuned to our publication for more.
