Lactation mastitis is an infection of the breast tissue that occurs among 9 percent of all breast-feeding women.
Infection is caused by bacteria normally found on the skin.
While breast milk is still the best food for infants, lactation is not without risk to the mother. In addition to the relatively minor complaints of painful breasts and nipples, lactation can lead to lactation mastitis. This neglected condition has a clinical spectrum ranging from focal inflammation with minimal systemic symptoms to abscess and septicemia. Symptoms Pain and discomfort associated with mastitis or concerns that treatment with antibiotics which pass through the breast milk may adversely affect the health of the baby may lead some women to cease breast-feeding. Fever of 101.3 degrees F or greater.