Ten Days After Zoamore's Birth

Belly is almost back to normal and have been back to prepregnany weight since the day after the birth. I definitely ate a lot during the pregnancy but for the most part ate really healthy, mostly raw fruits and veggies. I'm still craving oranges and pears, which I've been munching down on since the first trimester. I eat about 3-5 oranges a day now! yumm

Breastfeeding Difficulties

I count my blessing that I have not gotten thrush - Which I'm told feels like shards of glass when the milk lets down. Ouch... As wonderful and pain free as the labor was, breastfeeding started with difficulty and pain.

Poor latch - Baby girl did not like opening up wide, leads to sore nipples, which lead to blisters, which leads to scabs, which leads to cracked nipples (didn't get cracking, as they healed). But with blisters it leaves the breasts susceptible to mastitis. Which I did get. I had the chills and sweats one night and 101.7 degree temperature and one of my breasts was painful near the armpit, where the lymphnodes are. I didn't want to call the doctor, knowing that an MD would just prescribe me antibiotics... which can lead to developing yeast and then thrush... as I mentioned before... ouch!

So this is what I did and it cleared up within 48 hours...

• Lots of prayer!
• Husband gave awesome neck rub to help with tension I was carrying in neck and shoulders
• Kept a good diet of fresh fruit, veggies and Glenn juiced for me yumm
  
• Lymphonest added to my water (this helps to strengthen the immune system and clear lymphs)
• Echinacea (the one I took has shitake mushrooms added, it's called Lysine and it tastes awful)
• Cabbage or a slice of potato placed over the painful area (this draws out toxins)
• Before feeding on the effected breast I would place a warm pack on area (this helps with the flow)
• Stayed in the bedroom and got lots of rest
• Super hydrated, I upped the pH on my alkalizing machine too as bacteria (which is what mastitis is- a bacteria infection) cannot thrive in a high pH environment
• As I read on several other sites, Nurse, Nurse, Nurse
• While nursing, massage effected area to help unblock any blockages
• Keep areolas clean
• Don't wear a tight bra, better to go bra-less during this time

My temperature dropped really low, from 101.7 down to 96.6. This is the body's way of fighting off infections, best not to mess with it as it knows what it's doing :D

Within 48 hours my temperature was back to normal, with no pain in effected breast and no need for antibiotics.

If you are having high temperatures, it is recommended that you seek professional care. Mastitis left alone, untreated, without healing, can lead to the breast needing to be drained surgically.