What is the recommended approach for a patient diagnosed with acute mastitis who is breastfeeding?

Continuing breastfeeding is the recommended approach for a patient diagnosed with acute mastitis who is breastfeeding. Maintaining breastfeeding can provide several important benefits, both for the mother and the infant.

Breastfeeding helps to promote drainage of the affected breast, which can alleviate symptoms of mastitis and contribute to the healing process. Regularly emptying the breast can reduce the risk of abscess formation, which might occur if the blockage and inflammation become more severe. It also encourages ongoing milk production and maintains the breastfeeding relationship between the mother and baby.

Additionally, breastfeeding can support maternal and infant health by allowing the baby to receive antibodies present in breast milk, which may help both the mother recover more quickly and the infant build a strong immune response.

In cases of acute mastitis, it is still vital for the mother to manage her symptoms — this could include pain relief measures and possibly antibiotics if prescribed by a healthcare provider. However, maintaining breastfeeding remains paramount to ensure effective treatment and ongoing nourishment for the baby.