I am unfortunate enough to have experienced mastitis three times since I became a mother. Once with my third child (first one to breastfeed successfully) and twice with my fourth, which I am currently nursing.
The first two mastitis encounters were pretty identical. I suddenly feel a light pinch feeling in one breast. Quickly I begin to feel unwell. Think flu symptoms times ten. Then by the evening I have chills and sweats. This proceeds all night and into the morning. Then I wake up to a very sore spot that is hot and bright red. It usually takes roughly about a week to resolve.
But this last Friday it hit me hard and fast. I woke up Saturday to a HUGE, I mean SO HUGE, red ball on the bottom of my breast. The size alone alarmed me. It was practically all of my under boob. It's the biggest bump caused by mastitis I have ever had. I decided to call my dr when they opened Monday. However during the weekend I was doing the usual things I usually do to get this to pass. But this time I did something different. I used my Doterra essential oils. I figured it couldn't hurt. I used lavender and citrus bliss and applied it about 4 times during the day Saturday. By the evening right before bed the redness was about 50% lighter! And feeling better! I applied another round before bed. When I woke up it was an additional 25% lighter. I cannot believe how fast it went away! I highly recommend these oils for anyone who may have mastitis or a clogged duct in the future. I will never be without these oils as long as I'm breastfeeding. I'm one happy mama! Saved myself a trip out to the dr, having to find a baby sitter and having to pay my co pay and for a prescription. These oils are a godsend! With how bad this was I thought it would take longer to resolve or even maybe needing to have it drained! But this got better less than 24 hours after starting the oils! I am happy to say that by Sunday night I only had a slightly sore spot and by Monday night it had complely resolved. I only wish I had taken a before and after photo to share.
