Mastitis can leave a breastfeeding mother feeling uncomfortable and run down, not to mention make breastfeeding even more of a challenge. Caused by an obstruction, infection or allergy, mastitis results in uncomfortable swelling and redness of the affected breast. Mothers with mastitis often experience flu-like symptoms, which can make exercise especially challenging. Understanding the impact of exercise on this condition is essential.
Repetitive Exercises
In some cases, exercise can cause mastitis, which makes eliminating that form of exercise essential in treating the condition. Any repetitive exercises of the upper body can actually cause plugged ducts or mastitis in breastfeeding mothers. Upper-body strength training, for example, can cause mastitis, so mothers cannot continue with those exercises when treating mastitis.
Cardio
Some cardio exercises can also increase a mother's risk of mastitis and, thus, should be avoided by those who are treating their mastitis. Women can prevent cardio exercise from causing mastitis by wearing a support bra. Cardio activity without such a bra can increase a mother's risk of getting mastitis. Doing this activity — without the right bra — when a mother has mastitis can slow down recovery efforts.
Symptoms
Chances are, a woman's mastitis symptoms will leave her in no condition to exercise. Mastitis often includes flu-like symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, aches, chills and nausea or vomiting. Combined with discomfort in the affected breast, which can include a burning feeling or tender lump in the breast, most women will not have the energy to exercise when dealing with a case of mastitis.
Bottom Line
Women need to avoid performing cardio exercise without a support bra and repetitive upper-body workouts when they have mastitis — or anytime they are breastfeeding. Other types of exercise, such as yoga or lower-body strength training, can work while the woman recovers from mastitis, but it is likely her symptoms will prevent her from working out altogether.
Member Comments