Discouraged! Bootcamp -> Mastitis

[Fe LTL]

I finally got motivated to get fit 4 months postpartum...started my bootcamp of BWO (Tempo) and on day 5 came down with an aggressive case of mastitis. I have stopped tapping now days 5-7, but was really looking forward to getting back in shape, however I have to wonder if it was too much on my body.

I am 27, 5"6, current weight 151, goal weight 135...I know ttapp is about size not weight but just to give you an idea.

Any advice? I read somewhere that exercises where the arms go over the head can make you prone to mastitis...Should I just make that modification?

[ayj67]

Any advice? I read somewhere that exercises where the arms go over the head can make you prone to mastitis...Should I just make that modification?

Where did you hear this?

Block ducts or yeast or other bacteria causes mastitis... Now, if you are dehydrated, too tired, stress out, over exercise you can be having mastitis easier.

I don't see modification for the moves, I see ending any bootcamp until you are not nursing anymore. Don't over exercise, especially when you are nursing. Make sure you drink a lot of water before, during and after the workout. If you are tired, don't push more exercise, be nice to yourself and give your body some rest.

You are going to continue to have some water retention and fat reserve (at least 10 lbs) for nursing. It was what my ob/gyn told me, there was always 10 extra pound of water and fat for the baby no matter how much exercise we do and whatever we eat. So, relax, learn T-Tapp well, you will have a better body and better health.

[JenniferT]

I battled four bouts of mastitis the first year I was nursing my son. I continued with PBS daily, but took it easy until it was resolved each time, only walking using T-Tapp technique. I wouldn't worry about boot camps either. I lost my inches using MORE or BWO+ mostly 2-3 days a week with some walking and sneaking in Hoe Downs here and there through-out the day, mostly while holding my son since he didn't let me put him down for very long without crying. When you are feeling better you could do EOD going to your max. I would also suggest alfalfa and skin brushing :)

[WendyD]

Fe - Take it easy. I'm so sorry you have mastitis! UGH!!! If this is your first baby, you will be frusterated that you haven't lost the weight yet, or even a good part of it. You hear that bfing will help. Hog Wash! At least for me it was. It takes a long time for your body to recover. I didn't fully lose the weight until I had 2 cycles after I stopped bfing. Then it just dropped off. With my son, bottle fed, I couldn't lose the weight until about 9 months postp and then it dropped off. Sometimes it takes longer than we want. It will happen! :-)

Second, you brought a precious life into this world. :-) Don't push to hard. Take care of yourself and the baby. If you aren't sleeping great, it's not going to help the weight loss and hard exercise won't help you any. It'll just wear you out. Do what you can! Celebrate your gains, even if they are small. Take it easy on yourself and give yourself some time for healing. 4 months seems like enough time, but it may not be for your body. It wasn't for mine and I sure missed my pre-baby body.

I sincerely meant this as encouragement! Hugs!

[BlessedMama]

What they said!

Just focus on consistency, even if that's a few moves a day and/or a workout every other day. You have already gotten good advice to not overdo it. Mastitis for me was usually a sign I was pushing too much. Your sleep is probably interrupted, and if you can't nap during the day, you'll need to watch you don't push too much.

Also be sure you're not decreasing calories to "help" you lose. That is counterproductive. Be sure to get lots of good fats in your diet--it's good for you AND for your baby! (especially the brain!)

Oh, and focusing on ribs up throughout the day will help alignment as well as help melt the tummy! ;)

[just7]

I wasn't T-Tapping when I had my bout with mastitis several years ago but I would echo what the others said---take it slow. Maybe doing 2-4 reps for each move might be an option. That way you are getting through all of BWO+ without pushing too hard. As you are consistent...even in the little things...your body will respond. That is one of the beauties of this workout.

[Rachelle]

Also, for immediate relief, put fresh cabbage leaves on the affected breast. leave in place for 20 minutes, remove and discard. Reapply 2 more times. Drink your water, cut out sugar and refined foods. Get out in the Sunshine for 10-20 min at midday, and get enough sleep. (haha! try to get in a nap when baby naps - I have 7 so I know) Repeat this for 2 or 3 days.
note: extended use of cabbage leaves may decrease milk supply, make sure to keep your regular nursing schedule, and don't over use the leaves.
side note: cabbage leaves are excellent for relief when baby is weaning.
So sorry you have this! Get better soon!

[BlessedMama]

I loved a product from TriLight Herbs called Mastitix. It worked better than anything, including antibiotics!

http://www.trilighthealth.com/Mastitix-Mastitis-Support-p194.html

(It can be used for other illnesses, too! I finished up the last bottle I had on a dd's sickness! :) )

[Fe LTL]

Thank you for your encouragement and understanding ladies!

A little back story...I luckily only gained about 25 lbs during my pregnancy and day 10 pp was back to my pre-pregnancy weight (10 lbs more than my "goal weight"). Then I started having major pain nursing...which continued for 3 months! Turns out my oversupply was causing raynauds syndrome in my nipples! Think glass inside your nipple type pain every time I nursed. Incredibly I was able to endure until a lactation consultant recognized what it was and put me on a protocol to help minimize the symptoms (warmth, b6, good latch). Well during those 3 months of constant pain I def turned to food (cookies, cheesecake & chocolate) for comfort which added 10 lbs back on.

Shortly after one of my pregnant friends made a comment about it supposed to be easy to lose weight when you are nursing...when I mentioned it hadnt been easy - women can be too unkind w one another :/

Anywho, so I started my bootcamp and you know the rest.

In one or two more days I will start tapping again. EOD at most and making sure I sleep well. I am a little bummed out bc I was feeling so strong and empowered during my bootcamp - but I guess like several of you said consistency is key!

[pamelaw]

Whenever we work out, our bodies release toxins. You've had such good, loving advice and I'm sorry your friend was such a dolt. People can be so clueless.

I think something benign as a detoxificant like Zeolite, which pulls out toxins but leaves your minerals and vitamins alone, may be very helpful. I get mine here: http://www.etszeolite.com/index.html

I hope this helps and wish you the best! And very gentle, non-hurtful cyber hugs are coming your way from me.

[ayj67]

Oh, bad latching or erractically nursing behavior from the little one really will go against you for health, stress and physical pain.

I was on weekly lactation consulting appointment for 10 weeks on supply and latching. I was told to pump and feed and pump and feed (except they did not tell it was supposed to be a few days). It really put on a lot of stress and burden, especially the mental.

Nursing was the most difficult thing I had to do, for what comes naturally to other people, it is difficult for people who was always in control, and 1+1=2 formula driven people.

What I have to say is to relax, after nursing both kids for 5 years and more in combination.

Feed on demand, you will not have too much or too little. If you already have too much supply, definitely do not pump. I am sure they have taught you to pump out the thin sugary foremilk and discard and only feed with nursing with regular and hindmilk, so the little one will not be too gasey with too much foremilk (they can have yeast because of over-sugar too) and then can pass back on to you. Make sure baby does not have white coating in the mouth and tongue. If there is white coating, if the baby can have some plain yogurt, give the baby some to coat the tongue, it is cold and soothing and most natural way to cut down the yeast.

I never even exercise when I was pregnant and nursing, and I had mastitis a few times, when time was stress, over tired, and baby was no nursing well. My body does not like the pump that much (but I had to pump at work). So, one day, I just had to take off early during lunch time to nurse my first born to get relief, it was clogged and block that the pump does nothing.

With my seond one, since I was on 72 hours of all spectum anti-biotics, he was prone for diaper rash and yeast infection. I remember after he was on a course of anit-biotics for ear infection, he got thrush on his tongue and then I got yeast infection. The pain is exactly what glass and pins from yeast infection.

Try to wash off after each feeding with gentle essential oil and leave the coat of essential oil there and air dry. Loose fitting close until you are healed up. Just gently wipping the EO residual out if you worry before the next feeding. I hope you will have it all figure out soon.

(I actually use oil of oreganol, but you can use other less burning essential oil, EVOO infused with garlic clove or virgin coconut oil for rubbing and cleansing).

Don't worry, when you are not in pain, not stressed out, not fighting any infection, and well rested, your fat will melt off.

[okasanbear]

Trisch, what else can you use that for...I just remembered that I have a bottle in my frig...but since I neither have a baby nor am nursing...I would love to know other ways to use it!

thanks
joni

[MommyRose]

I even got mastitis once after my last had been weaned for a year. It developed after laying on my front side for a massage! I learned then that a castor oil pack does wonders...wish I'd had known that trick with my first kids. Make a Castor Oil Pack, wrap to your breast area with saran wrap and lay down for a nap with a heating pad on top. You ought to feel relief fast as well as healing.

[BlessedMama]

Joni, I've used it for mostly any viral illness, and it seems to me one dd was battling "after bronchitis" type symptoms (the kind that drag on after the antibiotic and wouldn't just go away) and it helped her kick that, too!

[pamelaw]

I'm gonna have to save this thread for future reference. These are such good tips that we don't think of when we're in agony.

[Nikki Dawn]

I just had to add a couple of tidbits. I personally have gained weight after a few pg's. It did not matter if I gained it eating chocolate or a salad. Seriously, chocolate would be more fun. This one I have eaten really well, put on weight and inches which I totally understand is frustrating. I found if I don't have enough weight that I have a hard time nursing. I also found that the weight will leave when it is ready but you can't make it.

Aurora, your dr was very smart in telling you. Nothing is worse than feeling like you work hard and nothing works.

The advice here was great!

I also wanted to say underwire nursing bras can cause ducts to block. I know they make tons of those to buy. I seriously don't think they ever nursed a kid who made them. Also pay attn to the way you are sleeping to not cause issues. If you start to feel it block nurse like crazy and switch positions of the baby.

You did a great job on your bootcamp. Cheers for the work. Just keep up doing shorter workouts until you are ready for the longer ones!

[gretchikin]

I say hooray.. you DID do a bootcamp. 4 days is a bootcamp and seriously the ones I do the most. I've only done a 10+ day bootcamp twice. Ever.

My 3rd girlie is now 3 months old and I got mastitis with her when she was a week old. (On Christmas Eve, in the ER from 7pm to 1am Christmas Day. Fun times. Not really.) That was HORRIBLE. I had an IV of antibiotics there and then some to take at home and it was gone, thankfully. I got a superhigh fever and felt terrible. :(

I'm also one who doesn't have the weight melt off while nursing. Not sure I'm one that *has* to hold on to some weight either, but I think I like the 9 months on, 9 months off rule--makes it not so crazy stressful to get that weight off. :/ I know you're wanting to look great for your beach vacation. Try doing Organs In Place/Half Frogs and Awesome Legs at night (http://www.t-tapp.com/try ) and you'll see a difference with doing that. :) If you have a skin brush, do that, it'll help tighten up saggy skin (surely it's not just me who has saggy skin at 3-4 months pp!)

And if you start to feel a clogged-ness, try to have baby's chin pointing in the direction of the blockage. It's since been ruled not necessary since the milk glands don't go in straight lines from outsides to the nipple, but it's worked for me a lot. Even though you're sometimes on all 4s with baby under you on the bed or whatever. lol looks funny and isn't the most comfy but it sure unblocks the blockage :)