Little Milton, six weeks old, is crying frantically. Mamma Ine Olsen puts him to her chest, and cries turn into satisfied squeaks. Milton is Olsen’s third child. She has breastfed all three without any particular problems, but has been told what to do if she gets symptoms of mastitis. Then breastfeed frequently to empty the breasts, massage gently and apply warm compresses. This has been the advice health professionals have been giving for decades. Until now. Three measures New research and understanding of breasts and breastfeeding show that there are completely different measures to be initiated. This is revealed in an updated recommendation from The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM). The organization is run by doctors worldwide. Simply explained, the opposite now applies to clogged milk ducts and mastitis. If the breastfeeding woman experiences symptoms such as hot, swollen and/or red breasts, they must now do this for 12–24 hours: Breastfeed only on demand, i.e. as much as the child wants Put on cold compresses to reduce the swelling Take Paracet/Ibux at need The breast should not be massaged as it can damage the breast tissue Hope the breastfeeding woman gets better FHI has now updated its advice in line with the recommendations from The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. The websites of, for example, Helsenorge and the emergency room handbook have not yet been updated, but FHI is working to spread the information. Senior adviser Ina Landau Aasen at the Breastfeeding Unit at FHI says many were surprised by the complete turnaround. Ina Landau Aasen at the Breastfeeding Unit at the Institute of Public Health (FHI). Photo: Privat Aasen hopes the new advice will contribute to fewer problems for breastfeeding mothers and less use of antibiotics. She emphasizes that the advice is general. If you become much worse within a day, you should contact a doctor. – It is important that each individual receives follow-up from health personnel. It’s not black and white, you can have several conditions at the same time, she says. Aasen points out that there is still a lot of research to be done when it comes to breastfeeding and breast complications. Critical mothers Many mothers receive help and support for breastfeeding from the voluntary organization Ammehjelpen. The Facebook group has over 40,000 members. Many people react to the new recommendations with surprise and confusion. For “all” years, mothers have heard and been passed on the myth that you can get mastitis from getting cold on your breasts. And now you have to turn on the cold? Chairman Izabella Katharina Abouradoine Sætherø understands that the questions will come. – It is a violent turnaround and can be difficult to deal with. But when you read the research, it makes sense, says Sætherø. Izabella Katharina Abouradoine Sætherø is chairman of Ammehjelpen. Photo: private She believes this shows how little interest there is in researching women’s health. – Chest inflammation and the rest of the conditions on the spectrum are fairly common. It is absolutely incredible that no one has done more research into what happens in the chest during inflammation and inflammation, and what is the best treatment, she says. Sætherø encourages those who have doubts to read up on the new findings. Ammehjelpen has also updated its advice on clogged milk ducts and mastitis. – The previous recommendation has probably worked for some, while for others it has prolonged the course of the disease, says Sætherø. At the health center På Fjell health center in Drammen, Ine Olsen and Milton are received by health nurse Bettina Aspebakken for a six-week check-up. At the same time, Aspebakken tells the new mother about the new advice for breast inflammation. – It is good that it is focused on, because chest inflammation can cause a lot of problems with fever, pain and feeling sick. If this can make it go away faster and avoid antibiotics, then that’s great, says the health nurse. Ine Olsen and Milton at a six-week check-up with health nurse Bettina Aspebakken at Fjell in Drammen. Photo: Laila Nguyen Engebretsen / news
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