Mastitis During the Holidays: What Every Breastfeeding Parent Should Know
Written by Aarani Montanari, IBCLC and founder of R&R Motherhood
Hello! I’m Aarani, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and the founder of R&R Motherhood. As both a clinician and a mom, I know firsthand how feeding during the holidays can feel —chaotic, exhausting, joyful and everything in between.
Let’s talk about what it is, why it happens more during this season, and what you can do to protect your breastfeeding journey.
(This blog is for education only. Always reach out to your own provider or IBCLC with individual concerns.)
What Is Mastitis?
The most recent Clinical Protocol from the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (2022) describes mastitis as a spectrum, rather than a single event, that ranges from inflammation to infection. [1]
This means you might experience:
A firm or tender spot on the breast
Warmth, redness, or swelling
Feeling a little “flu-ish” or run-down
Pain when feeding or pumping
Importantly, not all mastitis requires antibiotics — many early cases improve with gentle, supportive care. [1,2]
Why Mastitis Shows Up More During the Holidays
This time of year often means:
Long stretches between feeds (travel, events, parties)
Baby being held when your breasts are ready to feed
Late nights and unpredictable schedules
Stress + fatigue
Tight or uncomfortable clothing
Mastitis tends to begin when milk isn’t being removed regularly and comfortably, and disrupted routines during the holidays make that more likely. [1-3]
First Steps You Can Take at Home:
Stick to your usual feeding or pumping rhythm
No need to “pump to empty.” Extra pumping can actually worsen inflammation. [1,2]
Use cold packs after feeding/pumping
Cold reduces swelling and inflammation. [1]]
If safe for you, consider NSAIDs like ibuprofen
These reduce inflammation and overall symptoms. [1]
Wear a supportive (not tight) bra
Pressure on breast tissue can worsen inflammation. [1]
Rest when you can
Even small pockets help your body heal.
What To Avoid
❌ Deep, forceful breast massage
This may increase inflammation or cause injury. [1]
❌ Pumping aggressively to “clear” the breast
Over-pumping can cause oversupply and worsen inflammation. [1,2]
When to Reach Out to your Healthcare Provider
Fever >101.3°F lasts more than 24 hours
Pain and redness worsen instead of improve
Some cases require antibiotics, but many improve without them. What matters most is how symptoms progress. [1-3]
Holiday-Specific Prevention Tips
A few simple strategies make a big difference:
Feed/pump before long drives or flights
Plan quiet spaces to feed at gatherings
Let others help with hosting and meals
Avoid tight bras or carriers pressing on sore spots
Hydrate, eat, and sleep whenever possible
With early attention, most cases of mastitis improve quickly, and breastfeeding continues in the way that feels right for you. If something feels “off,” reach out for help! That’s exactly why The Lemon Grove and I are here. 💛
References
¹Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. (2022). ABM Clinical Protocol #36: The Mastitis Spectrum, Revised 2022. Breastfeeding Medicine, 17(5), 360–376.
²Morcomb, E. F., & Morcos, E. (2024). Does every patient with lactational mastitis require antibiotic treatment? Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 91(5), 283–290.
3Douglas, P. (2023). Does the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine’s Clinical Protocol #36 “The Mastitis Spectrum” promote overtreatment and risk worsened outcomes? International Breastfeeding Journal, 18, 51. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-023-00588-8
Aarani Montanari, MS, IBCLC (She/her)
Aarani is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant with a passion for helping
families with their feeding journeys and the transition to new parenthood. Her passion
for helping parents began when she experienced her own difficult transition to
motherhood in 2021. She struggled to breastfeed her son and subsequently struggled
with postpartum anxiety and depression. Finding an amazing IBCLC to support her in
this time period made a huge difference and was a source of hope she desperately
needed in those early days and beyond. It was this experience that inspired her to pivot
from her career in medical devices and pursue a career as an IBCLC. She knows
firsthand how much of a difference it can make to have support in this vulnerable
transition time to parenthood and is honored to walk alongside families in their feeding
journeys. She is experienced working with breastfeeding/chestfeeding dyads, exclusive
pumpers, bottle feeding, issues with latch and positioning, oversupply, mastitis, bottle
refusal, weaning and beyond. She strives to provide inclusive care to all her clients and
believes that every family deserves a care plan that feels supportive for their unique
needs.
Contact: aarani@rrmotherhood.com
Connect: @rrmotherhood
