Breastfeeding has always been a non-negotiable part of motherhood for me. I was blessed—and very determined—to nurse all my children for about a year each. But like many mothers know, that journey doesn’t always go smoothly.
Being the first in my family to truly commit to breastfeeding, especially with my firstborn, I had no idea what to expect. My mom, loving and well-meaning, was big on supplementing with formula and kept suggesting it. I wasn’t completely against it—but deep down, I feared it would lead to my baby rejecting the breast.
So I stuck to a strict routine: nursing or pumping every 2–3 hours, even through the night. I’d set my alarm and wake up to either breastfeed or pump religiously. I knew supply depended on demand—and I was committed.
Then came the night that changed everything.
I woke up drenched in sweat, my breasts swollen and rock-hard. They were so tender that even the slightest touch made me wince. I panicked—was this the end of my breastfeeding journey?
Tears filled my eyes as I called my doctor’s office. Thankfully, they fit me in that day. The diagnosis? Mastitis.
I was prescribed antibiotics and was relieved to learn I could continue nursing through treatment. But naturally, I was still worried about how the meds might affect my baby. Sure enough, my daughter had a few tummy issues (hello, diaper blowouts 😅), so I did supplement with a bit of formula until the antibiotics cleared from my system.
That wasn’t my only run-in with mastitis. With my second child, it struck twice. But this time, I was prepared.
Thanks to late-night Googling and mom blogs, I found two home remedies that actually worked for me:
- Raw garlic: I ate one clove a day during a flare-up (yes, I stank—but I didn’t care).
- Hot showers & massage: I gently massaged the affected area under warm water, and I could literally see the milk unclogging from the ducts.
Both times, those natural remedies gave me relief and got things flowing again.
The pain of mastitis is no joke. It’s scary. It can make you feel helpless and defeated. But I want to tell every new mom going through it: this doesn’t have to be the end of your breastfeeding journey.
Everyone’s body is different, and what works for one may not work for another. But trust your instincts, advocate for yourself, and know that support and healing are possible.
You’ve got this, mama. 💪🏽
