Breastfeeding, Mastitis & Breast Infections

Breastfeeding, Mastitis & Breast Infections

Breastfeeding: Benefits, risks and treatments

Breastfeeding offers significant health benefits. It protects babies from infections, allergies, asthma, diabetes, and digestive issues. For mothers, it reduces the risk of breast cancer by about 4% per year of breastfeeding. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continuing up to two years or more.

Mastitis affects about 1 in 5 breastfeeding mothers within the first six months. It involves breast inflammation, often from milk build-up and blocked ducts—not always infection. Symptoms include swelling, redness, pain, and sometimes fever or chills. If bacteria are involved, it can develop into bacterial mastitis and lead to a breast abscess if untreated.

Gold Coast Breast Surgery – Dr Susan Hawes
Gold Coast Breast Surgery – Dr Susan Hawes
Treatment tips

Keep feeding your baby directly from the breast.

Apply ice, take pain relief (Paracetamol or Ibuprofen), stay hydrated, rest, and wear a supportive bra.

Work on proper latch and feeding technique.

Avoid heat, vigorous massage, over-pumping, or overfeeding, as these can worsen symptoms.

Don’t use harsh cleaning agents on breast pumps or drying creams on nipples.

Infections

If infection is suspected, antibiotics are usually effective within 2-3 days. Persistent lumps may require an ultrasound to check for abscess or, rarely, breast cancer. A breast abscess, if it forms, is treated by drainage or surgery.

Nipple care

Cracks are common but don’t usually lead to infection. Keep nipples clean, moisturized, and air-dried. Avoid harsh soaps or chemicals.

Key points
  • Mastitis is not contagious or caused by poor hygiene.
  • Breastfeeding is safe and encouraged during mastitis.
  • Any persistent lumps should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.
1800 1200 Dr Susan Hawes
ABOUT DR SUSAN HAWES

Susan was born and grew up on the Gold Coast. She qualified as a pharmacist from the University of Queensland in 2003 and then went on to further tertiary study at Griffith University and completed a Bachelor’s degree in medicine and surgery in 2009.

Susan completed her internship and her resident years at the Gold Coast Hospital before moving all over Queensland for her training as a general surgeon.

Susan finished her surgical training in 2020 as a Princess Alexandra Hospital registrar. She was accepted onto subspecialty training in breast surgery with BreastSurgANZ and completed her first year of subspecialty training in Canberra in 2021. In 2022 Susan returned to the Gold Coast and worked as a general surgical fellow at Robina Hospital; also celebrating the birth of her second child. In 2023 Susan and her young family moved to Sydney, where she completed her second post-fellowship training year of breast surgery at the Oncology Centre of Excellence Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. She also completed a graduate certificate of breast surgery through the University of Sydney in 2023.

Susan has a passion for caring for patients to achieve the best possible outcomes for their health. She believes that timely communication is important between surgeons, patients and their health providers to ensure continuity of care. Susan has an interest in teaching and research and has presented her work at national conferences.

Susan enjoys the challenge and creativity of breast surgery but is also a dedicated general surgeon with experience in both emergency and elective surgery.

Gold Coast Breast Cancer Surgeon – Dr Susan Hawes
PRICING FEE STRUCTURE

Initial Consultation

Full Fee
$250

Medicare Rebate
$81.30

Post-op appointments

Full Fee
Bulk Billed

Medicare Rebate
Not applicable

Follow up consultations

Full Fee
$100

Medicare Rebate
$40.85