Held Through Mastitis: How La Leche League Saved Me When the System Failed-Stefanie's Story

My first full-blown mastitis didn’t happen as a brand-new mother. It came with my third child–and not even in the early months. I woke up one morning with my breast swollen, an aching body, fever, and excruciating pain while breastfeeding. It felt as if someone was

stabbing my breast with a knife. There was no red spot yet, but I knew something was terribly wrong.

I called my friend, who was a La Leche League Leader, for advice. She told me straight away to see my gynaecologist because it sounded like mastitis. The gynecologist confirmed it was severe and prescribed antibiotics, warning me that if things didn’t improve, I would need

to go to the hospital immediately. At that time, due to COVID rules, going to the hospital meant I would not be welcome there with my baby – a thought that terrified me.

My midwife was on holiday, and because my baby was no longer a newborn, there was no replacement midwife available. There was simply no support. The gynecologist told me I could continue breastfeeding, but that was all the advice I received. Health care practitioners were overworked, and it felt like breastfeeding issues weren’t within their expertise. There was no detailed guidance, just “take antibiotics.”

What helped me survive those days was the support from La Leche League. My Leader friend, Alweri Brand, checked in with me every day. She consulted another Leader and they gave me the best course of action: how to treat the mastitis, what to look out for, and what to

expect. Despite following every recommendation, the pain was immense, and after a day or two, my breast turned very red with a clear line around the inflamed area.

I desperately wanted someone to check my breast again. Initially, the gynaecologist's office refused and told me to go to the hospital. But after insisting, they finally saw me and confirmed the mastitis was severe. At least then, someone truly checked my breast and

listened to me.

Throughout this time, I felt deeply alone within the medical system. Because my child was older, there was no midwife care. The gynecologist was busy and didn’t have the detailed breastfeeding knowledge I needed. What saved me was the La Leche League Leader’s

care. Every morning, I would switch on my phone and there was already a voice note: asking how I was, how the pain was developing, if I needed further advice. That carried me through.

Knowing there was someone who not only cared but also had the knowledge I needed – not just medical treatment, but understanding, practical suggestions and emotional support.

She told me that mastitis wouldn’t just vanish in a few days; that it would take time to heal and I needed to be careful to prevent another episode, by improving breastfeeding techniques and caring for my breast health.

Because of this experience, I decided to become a La Leche League Breastfeeding Peer Counsellor myself. I wanted to give back what I received. I wanted to support mothers in a system that often provides so little support for breastfeeding challenges.

I am deeply grateful that La Leche League has been there throughout my entire breastfeeding journey. First with information flyers and online support and information, then with additional information during my mastitis, and now as part of the team myself, it is a

circle of care and knowledge that I wish every mother could experience.

For more info on mastitis see https://www.lllsa.org/mastitis