Mastitis is a painful breast inflammation that most often hits nursing moms in the first three months after delivery. It can come on fast, so knowing the early signs helps you call for help before it turns into an abscess.
The first thing women usually feel is a sore, heavy spot in one breast. It may start as a small tender lump or just a dull ache that gets worse when the baby nurses. The area quickly becomes red, warm, and swollen, and the redness can spread outward in a wedge-shaped patch. Many moms describe “flu” feelings: chills, body aches, and extreme tiredness. Fever is common—often 101°F (38.3°C) or higher—and can spike before the breast even looks very red.
Milk from the affected side may look thicker, clumpy, or tinged with blood, but it’s safe for the baby to drink. If left untreated, the pain intensifies, the breast can throb, and pus may collect, causing a firm, very tender mass and higher fevers. At that point, drainage or antibiotics are usually needed.
Keep nursing or pumping on the sore side; emptying the breast is part of the cure. If pain, fever, or redness isn’t better in 24 hours, call your doctor.
| Symptom | What You May Notice |
|---|---|
| Local breast pain | Tender lump, dull ache, or heavy spot that worsens with feeding |
| Skin changes | Red, warm, swollen area; redness spreads outward |
| Systemic “flu” signs | Chills, body aches, extreme fatigue |
| Fever | ≥101°F (38.3°C); can spike early |
| Milk appearance | Thicker, clumpy, or blood-tinged (still safe for baby) |
| Worsening infection | Throbbing pain, firm tender mass, rising fever—possible abscess |