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Mastitis can come on quickly, be incredibly painful, and absolutely knock you to the ground. If you’ve ever experienced it, you know exactly what I mean.
There are many reasons mastitis might occur—a change in feeding patterns, breastfeeding multiple little ones, baby’s sleep shifts, a sick or teething bub, or even just the general exhaustion of motherhood. Sore or broken-down nipples, maternal diabetes, candida, breast abscesses, latching/tongue tie issues, a strong or weak let-down reflex, and a generally lowered immune system can also contribute.
Milk supply is another conversation altogether, but please know there are remedies to both increase and decrease supply, assist with weaning, and help regulate imbalances.
Everyone’s experience of mastitis will be slightly different, and it’s important to recognise that there are two types—inflammatory and infectious.
Both occur in the duct of the breast, not the gland. The duct is responsible for transporting milk, not storing it, so if milk sits in there too long, it thickens, creating a plug.
At first, this plug can feel warm, hard, and tender. If left untreated, it can develop into inflammatory mastitis—your whole breast can swell, become hard, tender, and hot to the touch, and fever may develop.
From here, it can shift into infectious mastitis, where bacteria take up residence in the obstructed duct, and symptoms ramp up quickly. This stage can bring flu-like symptoms, chills, body aches, and a deep sense of malaise—your body is literally trying to fight off an infection.
This is where homeopathy can step in beautifully to support your body’s natural healing process. Like all homeopathic prescriptions, selecting the right remedy means matching the intensity and type of symptoms with appropriate dosing.
Homeopathic Remedies for Mastitis
Belladonna
Rapid onset, throbbing pain, red streaks radiating from the nipple
Breast is hot, red, and swollen
High fever (face flushed, pupils dilated)
Worse between 3pm – 11pm and after midnight, lying down
Phytolacca
Breasts hard, lumpy, painful, purplish hue
Pain shoots through the whole body when baby nurses
Bloody, watery discharge from the breasts
Worse at night, in cold/damp weather
Hepar Sulph
Sharp, stitching/splinter-like pains in the breast
Extremely sensitive to cold air or drafts
Irritable, short-tempered, impatient
Worse for cold, prefers warmth
Merc Sol
Hard swelling of the breast, sore & raw pain
Baby refuses milk—it just doesn’t taste good
Often seen in conjunction with inflamed gums or sinus infections
Silica
Great pain, cutting/stitching sensation
May have discharge or cracked, bleeding nipples
Worse while nursing, especially left breast
Often needed for inverted nipples
Pulsatilla
Milk supply increased but pain and swelling at the nipple
Chilly, worse in a warm, stuffy room
Feels better with gentle movement
Lack of thirst
Other Supportive Measures
While homeopathy can be deeply effective, I always encourage layering practical supports alongside remedies:
Cabbage Leaf Compresses – cool or warm, depending on what feels best
Castor Oil Packs – help with lymphatic drainage and moving blockages
Hot/Cold Compresses – alternating heat and cool can ease pain and inflammation
Breast Massage & Feeding Adjustments – working with a lactation consultant can be helpful if latching or positioning needs tweaking
When to Seek More Support
Mastitis is something we want to move quickly with. If symptoms aren’t shifting, reach out for support—whether that’s me, your midwife, or your GP. There is no shame in needing extra help, and sometimes medical intervention is necessary.
I usually prefer to prescribe one remedy at a time, but I do have a mastitis blend available in my online store for those wanting a combination approach.
When choosing a remedy, go beyond just the breast symptoms—look at your whole picture. What else is happening physically, emotionally, or mentally? The right remedy should connect the dots between all of your symptoms.
💡 When in doubt, book an acute consult with me! Let’s get you feeling better quickly so you can get back to nourishing yourself and your little one.
Warmest, Martine
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