[Guideline summary] Clinical protocol for managing mastitis from the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine has revised its clinical protocol on mastitis, a common complication during lactation that contributes to early cessation of breastfeeding. Summary of spectrum-wide recommendations were listed below.
Anticipatory guidance and behavioral interventions
- Reassure lactating mothers that many mastitis symptoms will resolve with conservative care and psychosocial support
- Educate mothers suffering from mastitis on normal breast anatomy and postpartum physiology in lactation
- Feed infants on demand and do not aim to ‘empty’ breasts during feeding
- Minimize the use of breast pump
- Avoid using nipple shields
- Wear a supportive bra that can appropriately fit the body
- Avoid deep massage of lactating breasts
- Avoid using saline soaks, castor oil and other topical products
- Avoid routine sterilizing pumps and household items
Medical interventions
- Decrease inflammation and pain
- Cure associated nipple blebs and avoid unroofing
- Cure hyperlactation or human milk ‘oversupply’
- Use therapeutic ultrasound
- Reserve antibiotics for bacterial mastitis
- Consider probiotics
- Evaluate for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders
Please refer to the full article for condition-specific recommendations including recurrent mastitis, abscess, subacute mastitis, etc.
Link to the full article:
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/bfm.2022.29207.kbm?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub++0pubmed
Reference:
Mitchell KB et al. Academy of breastfeeding medicine clinical protocol #36: the mastitis spectrum, revised 2022. Breastfeed Med. 2022;17(5):360-376.
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[Literature library] Risk factors for lactation mastitis in China
WYE-EM-076-JUN-22
