How to Prevent and Support Mastitis by Sarah Kottmann

Breastfeeding can be a fantastic experience and a way of bonding with your newborn baby. Some people quickly take to it, but others need a little more time, especially if this is your first time. I remember the first week feeding my baby, even if it was eight years ago, it was magical but challenging. I found only one position that I could feed him, and that was laying down until finally after 3 weeks we found our rhythm, and I was able to feed sitting up. I remember the first few weeks when the milk came in, and it was painful, I used nipple cream so that I wouldn’t get cracked nipples. I was fortunate not to get mastitis but have worked over the year with women who have them often. What occurs is that the breast milk gets trapped in the ducts and then causes inflammation. It can then feel like you have the flu as fever is a common symptom of mastitis.

There are many steps you can take to prevent mastitis if it is a common occurrence:

• Making sure you feed from both breasts in the same feed.

• Makes sure you are wearing the correct bra

• Relax while feeding to help the milk flow, with special effort to relax arms, back, neck and shoulders

• Meditate or listen to relaxing music and think about your baby to help the let down

• Change feeding position

There is specific probiotics that have been researched to support breast milk flow through the ducts. Proper nutrition and diet are also crucial for milk flow.

Nutrition that is important for breastfeeding mums includes:

Omega 3, B vitamins, Protein, Calcium, Iron, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Folic acid and Iodine.

I understand being a mum can be overwhelming. Sometimes we forget even to feed ourselves even when it’s essential to eat small meals throughout the day to support milk flow, so I have created Nurture Premium Breastfeeding shake. It has been specially formulated and researched to contain wholesome premium ingredients that contain everything mum needs to support breastfeeding and health of mum and bub. Nurture also supports all mums no matter what diet or lifestyle they choose as it certified organic, gluten free, Soy free and vegan friendly. It also the first product to contain naturally occurring vitamin B12, which has not been able to be sourced from a plant-based ingredient before until now.

It’s easy to use as you can mix it into plant-based milk, smoothies or water.

Sarah Kottmann