Natural Remedies for Mastitis

Castor oil compresses for mastitis

I had mastitis when my daughter was 3 weeks old, and it was so bad I went to emergency and had IV antibiotics, then had to be on oral antibiotics for 10 days. I was right out of commission for a few days because it caused a migraine headache as well. My midwife told me that if it came back I should try putting castor oil on a rag (I used paper towels) and then hold hot wet compresses (I used washcloths) over it. I did that when it threatened to come back about 5 weeks later, and I think it staved it off - I didn't need to get antibiotics that time. Still had a high fever, but the infection wasn't nearly as bad.