QUESTION: I currently have a terrible cold (flu). My child now has it. We went to the doctor, for me. My child became sick the next day. My breast is swollen and my doctor says it is time to quit nursing. It appears that I have an infection or just severe swelling. Is hot or cold going to help in removing the swelling, or the pain? Thank you

Wow!

You are way ahead of the game - your baby is being breastfed ALMOST up to the age that is "normal". I don't want to say that you should continue breastfeeding if you don't want to, just to support you if you choose to continue. Dr. Dettwyler did a study of many mammals and found that if a human was to be fed according to the parameters of other animals (weight gain, maturity of baby at birth, normal life span, etc.), humans would be breastfed for AT LEAST 2 1/2 years - but usually more like 3 - 4 years.

I'm telling you this so you understand that your doctor's opinion is based on cultural bias, not medical or anthropological evidence.

As for your illnesses:
Your flu sounds like a breast infection (mastitis) not the flu. The pain in the breast is a localized infection that needs antibiotics for treatment. If you doctor didn't give you any, you need to find another doctor! As for your treatment right now:

1. REST - and I mean lie down, not just sit in a chair

2. NURSE OFTEN, ESPECIALLY FROM THAT BREAST - your baby will help you by keeping the breast emptied, which will increase blood circulating the breast and bringing to it the white blood cells that fight infection, and hopefully if you get the medication, it will bring the medication to the site. When you nurse, put the baby's chin towards the red and hardened part of the breast - this can require "creative positioning" if it is in the upper aspect of the breast - some moms have even had to but the child on the back face up and lean over the baby to nurse. This causes the tongue to milk the sore area better.

3. DRINK LOTS OF FLUIDS, ESPECIALLY WATER

4. USE WARM COMPRESSES BEFORE EVERY FEED AND WHENEVER YOU CAN (I used to sleep with an electric heating pad - no small feat when it was 90 degrees in Illinois!)

As for your child's illness, I can't think of a worse time to wean - breastfeeding is comfort - for you and the baby. Breastmilk is also full of antibodies to help your child fight this infection. And you don't feel up to the entertaining that weaning requires. After all, when you wean, you need to replace the frequent contact and love you give your baby with breastfeeding, with frequent contact and love, massage, entertaining, etc. I don't think you feel up to this.

Besides, if you do have mastitis, and you wean, the breast could develop an abscess - NOT a fun thing to deal with.

I would recommend you hang in there, and wean at a time which is best for you and not based on other's opinions of when you should wean.

Jeanette Panchula, BA, RN, IBCLC
Vacaville, CA

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