Mastitis Symptoms While Breastfeeding: Early Signs & When to Get Help
- Mastitis symptoms while breastfeeding can include a painful, warm, red or swollen area of the breast, along with fever, chills, body aches or flu-like symptoms.
- Some people notice a sore area first, while others feel suddenly unwell before breast changes become obvious.
- If you think you may have mastitis, seek advice promptly from a health professional.
- This guide is general information only.
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Mastitis symptoms while breastfeeding can include a painful, warm, red or swollen area of the breast, along with fever, chills, body aches or flu-like symptoms. If you think you may have mastitis, seek advice promptly from a health professional.
This guide explains early mastitis symptoms, breast changes, flu-like symptoms, what mastitis can look like, and when to get health professional help.
What Are Mastitis Symptoms While Breastfeeding?
Mastitis symptoms can affect the breast and the whole body. Some people notice a sore area first, while others feel suddenly unwell before breast changes become obvious.
| Symptom type | What you may notice |
|---|---|
| Breast symptoms | Pain, tenderness, swelling, warmth, redness or a hard area |
| Whole-body symptoms | Fever, chills, body aches, fatigue or a flu-like feeling |
| Feeding-related symptoms | Pain during feeds, or a breast that feels unusually full, firm or tender |
| Seek help promptly | Worsening symptoms, fever, spreading redness or feeling very unwell |
Pregnancy Birth and Baby and Healthdirect describe mastitis as common in breastfeeding and linked with flu-like symptoms, breast redness, pain and swelling.
For the broader overview, read: mastitis while breastfeeding .
Early Mastitis Symptoms to Watch For
Early mastitis symptoms can come on quickly. A new sore, warm, firm or tender area of the breast may be one of the first signs.
You may also feel unusually tired, achy, feverish or run down. Some people describe the start of mastitis as feeling like they are getting the flu.
Early symptoms can include:
- A painful or tender area of the breast
- Warmth, firmness or swelling
- Redness or a changing patch of skin
- Body aches, chills or a feverish feeling
- Breast discomfort during or between feeds
- Feeling suddenly unwell
Symptoms should be assessed early, especially if they worsen or do not improve.
Breast Symptoms of Mastitis
Breast symptoms of mastitis may include pain, tenderness, swelling, warmth, redness or a firm area. The breast may feel hot, heavy or more painful than usual.
Some people notice a red patch, shiny skin, red streaking, or a swollen area that feels different from the rest of the breast. Pain may be felt during feeding, between feeds, or when the breast is touched.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association describes mastitis symptoms as including a breast area that may look red and swollen, with skin that may be shiny or have red streaks. It also notes that the breast can feel hot and painful.
If your breast feels painful, hot, swollen or unusually firm while breastfeeding, seek health professional advice rather than trying to diagnose it yourself.
Flu-Like Symptoms of Mastitis
Yes, mastitis can cause flu-like symptoms. These may include fever, chills, body aches, fatigue, feeling hot and cold, or feeling suddenly very unwell.
Flu-like symptoms are especially important when they appear with breast pain, redness, swelling, warmth or a hard breast area. Healthdirect and Pregnancy Birth and Baby both describe mastitis as causing flu-like symptoms as well as breast redness, pain and swelling.
Not every fever or body ache is mastitis. But if you are breastfeeding and flu-like symptoms appear alongside breast symptoms, seek health professional breastfeeding support promptly.
What Does Mastitis Look Like While Breastfeeding?
Mastitis can look like a red, swollen, shiny or warm area on the breast. Some people notice red streaking, a firm area, or a patch that looks different from the surrounding skin.
On darker skin, redness may be harder to see. Pain, heat, swelling, firmness, tenderness or feeling unwell may be more noticeable than colour change.
Do not rely on appearance alone. Mastitis symptoms can look different from person to person, and some people feel unwell before visible breast changes become clear.
Mastitis Symptoms vs Blocked Duct Symptoms
Localised breast inflammation and mastitis can have overlapping symptoms. Fever, chills, body aches or feeling unwell alongside breast pain, warmth, swelling or a firm area may be more concerning for mastitis.
If you are unsure, symptoms are worsening, or you feel unwell, seek health professional advice.
For a deeper comparison, read: blocked ducts vs mastitis while breastfeeding.
What to Do If You Have Mastitis Symptoms
This page helps you recognise symptoms; decisions should be made with a qualified health professional. If you have mastitis symptoms, contact your health professional.
Monitor symptoms such as fever, chills, spreading redness, worsening breast pain or feeling very unwell. Write down when symptoms started, whether you have a fever, and whether redness or pain is spreading, so you can explain this clearly when seeking help.
Ask for breastfeeding support if feeding is painful, the breast feels unusually full, firm or tender, or you are unsure whether to keep feeding or expressing.
For next steps, read: mastitis support and self-care while breastfeeding.
Can You Have Mastitis Symptoms When Not Breastfeeding?
This page focuses on mastitis symptoms while breastfeeding. If you have breast pain, redness, swelling, fever, discharge, a lump, or breast symptoms while not breastfeeding, seek health professional advice promptly so your symptoms can be assessed.
Mastitis Symptoms While Breastfeeding FAQs
What are the symptoms of mastitis while breastfeeding?+
Mastitis symptoms while breastfeeding may include breast pain, tenderness, redness, warmth, swelling or a hard area. You may also have fever, chills, body aches, fatigue or flu-like symptoms. Seek health professional advice early if these symptoms appear.
What are the first signs of mastitis?+
The first signs of mastitis may include a new sore, warm, firm or tender area of the breast. Some people also feel unusually tired, achy, feverish or flu-like before breast changes become obvious.
Can mastitis cause flu-like symptoms?+
Yes, mastitis can cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, body aches, fatigue and feeling suddenly unwell. Flu-like symptoms with breast pain, redness, warmth or swelling should be taken seriously.
Can mastitis cause body aches?+
Mastitis can cause body aches, especially when it creates a flu-like feeling. Body aches are more concerning when they happen with breast pain, redness, swelling, warmth, fever or chills while breastfeeding.
What does mastitis look like?+
Mastitis may look like a red, swollen, shiny or warm area on the breast. Some people notice red streaks or a firm patch. On darker skin, pain, heat or swelling may be easier to notice than redness.
How do I know if I have mastitis or a blocked duct?+
It can be hard to tell because symptoms can overlap. Mastitis may be more concerning when breast pain or a firm area occurs with fever, chills, body aches or feeling unwell. Seek health professional advice if you are unsure.
What should I do if I have mastitis symptoms?+
Contact your health professional. Ask for breastfeeding support and monitor symptoms closely.
When should I see a doctor for mastitis symptoms?+
See a health professional early if you think you may have mastitis. Seek health professional advice promptly if symptoms worsen, fever continues, redness spreads, pain is severe, you feel very unwell, or symptoms do not improve.
References and official guidance
- Pregnancy Birth and Baby: Mastitis
- Healthdirect: Mastitis
- Australian Breastfeeding Association: Mastitis
- Australian Breastfeeding Association: Localised breast inflammation
- Royal Women's Hospital: Mastitis
- Sydney Children's Hospitals Network: Mastitis and breastfeeding factsheet
This guide is general information only and should not replace personalised health professional advice. Seek health professional advice promptly if you have breast pain, redness, swelling, fever, flu-like symptoms, worsening symptoms, symptoms that do not improve, or concerns about mastitis while breastfeeding.
