What is mastitis?

What is mastitis?

What is mastitis?

0-6 Months
Article
Aug 15, 2024
1 min

Did you know? Up to one in three moms who breastfeed experience a painful condition called mastitis. It can happen when milk stays in your breast too long, or from infection in your breast. Most mastitis cases develop during the first 12 weeks; learn how to reduce your chances of developing it. 

Mastitis is one of the common reasons why moms stop breastfeeding earlier than they planned. Find out what mastitis is and how to reduce the chances of developing it.

A guide to breastfeeding_16_LEARN_What is mastitis

Sources

Amir LH, Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol Committee. ABM Clinical Protocol #4: Mastitis, revised March 2014. Breastfeed Med 2014; 9(5):239-43. 

Angelopoulou A, Field D, Ryan CA et al. The microbiology and treatment of human mastitis. Med Microbiol Immunol 2018, 207(2):83-94.  

Arroyo R, Martin V, Maldonado A et al. Treatment of infectious mastitis during lactation: Antibiotics versus oral administration of Lactobacilli isolated from breast milk. Clin Infect Dis 2010; 50(12):1551-8.  

Cullinane M. Amir LH, Donath SM et al. Determinants of mastitis in women in the CASTLE study: a cohort study. BMC Fam Pract 2015; 16:181. doi: 10.1186/s12875-015-0396-5.  

Core curriculum for lactation consultant practice: International Lactation Consultant Association, Mannel, Martens, Walker, Eds, 3rd ed; 2013.  

Diaz-Ropero MP, Martin R, Sierra S et al. Two Lactobacillus strains, isolated from breast milk, differently modulate the immune response. J Appl Microbiol 2007; 102(2):337-43.  

Fernandez L, Langa S, Martin V et al. The human milk microbiota: Origin and potential roles in health and disease. Pharmacol Res 2013; 69(1):1-10.  

Hurtado JA, Maldonado-Lobon JA, Diaz-Ropero MP et al. Oral administration to nursing women of Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 prevents lactational mastitis development: A randomized clinical trial. Breastfeed Med 2017; 12(4):doi:10.1089/bfm.2016.0173

Infant Feeding Survey, UK, 2012;  

Health and Social Care Information Center, HNS, IFF Research, 2012. Infant feeding survey 2010. http://digital.nhs.uk/catalogue/PUB08694 (accessed May 23, 2018)  

Jimenez E, de Andres J, Manrique M et al. Metagenomic analysis of milk of healthy and mastitis-suffering women. J Hum Lact 2015, 31(3):406-15.  

Jost T, Lacroix C, Braegger C et al. Assessment of bacterial diversity in breast milk using culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches. Br J Nutr 2013; 110(7):1253-62. 

Kvist L. Re-examination of old truths: replication of a study to measure the incidence of lactational mastitis in breastfeeding women. Int Breastfeed J 2013, 8(1):2. doi:1186/1746-4358-8-2.  

Lara-Villoslada F, Olivares M, Sierra S et al. Beneficial effects of probiotic bacteria isolated from breast milk. Br J Nutr 2007; 98(Suppl 1):S96-100.  

Li S-W, Watanabe K, Hsu C-C et al. Bacterial composition and diversity in breast milk samples from mothers living in Taiwan and mainland China. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:965. Doi:10.3389/fmicb.2017.00965.  

Martin R, Olivares M, Marin ML et al. Probiotic potential of 3 Lactobacilli strains isolated from breast milk. J Hum Lact 2005; 21(1):8-17.  

Olivares M, Diaz-Ropero MP, Martin R et al. Antimicrobial potential of four Lactobacillus strains isolated from breast milk. J Appl Microbiol 2006; 101(1):72-9.  

Soto A, Martin V, Jimenez E et al. Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in human breast milk: Influence of antibiotherapy and other host and clinical factors. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2014; 59(1):78-88.  

Spencer JP. Management of mastitis in breastfeeding women. Am Fam Physician 2008; 78(6):727-32.  

Victora CG, Bahl R, Barros AJD et al. Breastfeeding in the 21st century: epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. Lancet 2016; 387(10017):475-90.  

World Health Organization. Mastitis causes and management. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2000.  

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