故事
产后恢复与哺乳 · 生完孩子身体在做什么
生完孩子,子宫要收回去,激素一下子撤走,喂奶又要从身体里拿走营养和睡眠。这里讲身体怎么恢复、吃什么,以及哪些信号要立刻就医。
最后更新:
先读这一段 孩子生下来以后,身体先要做的一件事是止血。
科普内容,不替代医师诊断或处方;有症状或在服药请咨询医师。
故事路径
- 1生完之后子宫怎么收回去How the womb recovers after birth
- 2奶是怎么造出来的How breast milk is made
- 3奶里哪些营养跟着饭走Which milk nutrients follow your plate
- 4钙从骨头借、断奶后还Calcium borrowed from bone, then repaid
- 5产后漏尿和腹直肌分离Leaks and separated belly muscles
- 6觉被切碎和情绪起落Broken sleep and mood swings
- 7产后什么时候要立刻就医Warning signs that need care now
第 1 章
生完之后子宫怎么收回去
How the womb recovers after birth
孩子生下来以后,身体先要做的一件事是止血。胎盘从子宫内壁剥下来,留下一大片张开的血管;子宫的肌肉随即一阵阵收紧,把这些血管挤闭。产后大出血最常见的原因,就是这一步没做好:子宫收缩无力,血管合不拢(ACOG)。
之后几周,子宫一点点缩回去,剥离处慢慢长好,这期间流出来的血和分泌物叫恶露。一项跟踪 477 名哺乳妈妈的研究里,恶露中位持续 27 天,比常说的两周长得多,停了又来也常见(Visness 1997)。喂奶时恶露会变红变多、小腹一阵阵痛,因为喂奶让子宫收缩(NHS)。
同一时间,孕期由胎盘大量供应的孕酮和雌激素随着胎盘离开而撤下,这一下牵动后面的产奶和情绪(Pang 2007)。
血多到一小时湿透两片卫生巾、排出大血块,或者一条腿肿痛、突然喘不上气、胸痛,立即就医或叫急救;产后什么时候要立刻就医那一章列了全部信号。
之后几周,子宫一点点缩回去,剥离处慢慢长好,这期间流出来的血和分泌物叫恶露。一项跟踪 477 名哺乳妈妈的研究里,恶露中位持续 27 天,比常说的两周长得多,停了又来也常见(Visness 1997)。喂奶时恶露会变红变多、小腹一阵阵痛,因为喂奶让子宫收缩(NHS)。
同一时间,孕期由胎盘大量供应的孕酮和雌激素随着胎盘离开而撤下,这一下牵动后面的产奶和情绪(Pang 2007)。
血多到一小时湿透两片卫生巾、排出大血块,或者一条腿肿痛、突然喘不上气、胸痛,立即就医或叫急救;产后什么时候要立刻就医那一章列了全部信号。
误区 · 坐月子要躺着、只喝汤吗
坐月子里有些做法,放到身体的机制里一对,站不住。一个月不下床:怀孕本身就让腿里的深静脉更容易长血栓,风险最高的时候正是刚生完。不怎么活动、喝水少、产程很长、剖宫产、产后失血多,都会让风险更高。英国皇家妇产科医师学会(RCOG)给的建议是尽量多活动、正常喝水(RCOG)。所以躺满一个月,等于在风险最高的那段时间里再加一条风险。血栓在孕期和产后 6 周内仍然少见,每 1000 名女性里约 1 到 2 人(RCOG),但它属于会致命的那一类。
只喝汤:一项测量骨头汤的研究发现,每份汤里的钙最多几十毫克,不到一天推荐量的 5%(Hsu 2017)。奶量也不是靠汤催出来的,奶是怎么造出来的那一章讲了奶量由什么决定。
不吃蔬菜水果:吉隆坡一项对华人产妇的调查里,坐月子期间七成多的人不吃蔬菜、约一半不吃水果,她们的维生素 A 和维生素 C 摄入掉到推荐量的一半以下(Poh 2005)。吃进去不等于补进去那篇拆了几个中式孕产老说法。
bone-broth-mineral-content-hsu-2017postpartum-confinement-diet-poh-2005
第 2 章
奶是怎么造出来的
How breast milk is made
造奶靠两个激素,一个管造,一个管送。
孕期乳房里已经备好了造奶的细胞,但高水平的孕酮压着,不让奶大量出来。胎盘娩出、孕酮撤下,再加上催乳素(prolactin)等激素在场,奶就在产后几天里大量来了(Pang 2007);不少妈妈在第三、四天觉得乳房发胀发紧(NHS)。
造好的奶要靠第二个激素送出来。宝宝一吸,大脑就一阵一阵放出催产素(oxytocin),让包着腺泡的一层细胞收缩,把奶挤进乳管,这叫喷乳反射,也就是常说的奶阵。早期喂奶时催产素的脉冲越多,奶量越大;压力会让脉冲变少(Uvnäs Moberg 2020)。同一个催产素也让子宫收缩,所以喂奶时小腹会痛。
奶量多少,最后由乳房自己调:奶被移走得越多,接下来造得越快(Daly 1993)。这就是常说的供需。奶不够时,一线办法是让宝宝多吸、吸得有效,而不是猛喝汤;需要多吃多少、催奶草药有没有用,孕期与哺乳营养那篇有细讲。
孕期乳房里已经备好了造奶的细胞,但高水平的孕酮压着,不让奶大量出来。胎盘娩出、孕酮撤下,再加上催乳素(prolactin)等激素在场,奶就在产后几天里大量来了(Pang 2007);不少妈妈在第三、四天觉得乳房发胀发紧(NHS)。
造好的奶要靠第二个激素送出来。宝宝一吸,大脑就一阵一阵放出催产素(oxytocin),让包着腺泡的一层细胞收缩,把奶挤进乳管,这叫喷乳反射,也就是常说的奶阵。早期喂奶时催产素的脉冲越多,奶量越大;压力会让脉冲变少(Uvnäs Moberg 2020)。同一个催产素也让子宫收缩,所以喂奶时小腹会痛。
奶量多少,最后由乳房自己调:奶被移走得越多,接下来造得越快(Daly 1993)。这就是常说的供需。奶不够时,一线办法是让宝宝多吸、吸得有效,而不是猛喝汤;需要多吃多少、催奶草药有没有用,孕期与哺乳营养那篇有细讲。
证据 · 乳房怎么按需调节奶量
每侧乳房自己调(Daly 1993):研究者在 7 位妈妈家里,每次喂奶前后都量一次乳房的体积,连续量 24 小时。宝宝很少把奶吸空,平均吸走可用奶量的 76%。在 13 侧乳房里有 6 侧,上一次被吸得越空,接下来造奶越快;一侧乳房能存多少,也和宝宝从这一侧要多少对得上。作者的解释是,奶量由每侧乳房在局部自己调节,所以两侧的奶量可以不一样。这只是 7 个人的生理学测量。奶阵和催产素(Uvnäs Moberg 2020):这篇系统综述汇总了 29 项研究、601 名女性。吸吮后催产素立刻释放,持续约 20 分钟,产后早期是一阵一阵的脉冲。脉冲越多,奶量越大、喂奶坚持得越久,压力会让脉冲变少。纳入的都是探索性研究,说明的是关联。
喂奶能瘦回去吗:产奶每天大约要花 500 大卡,其中约 170 大卡由孕期存下的脂肪来付,所以实际需要多吃的约 330 大卡(IOM 2005)。但一篇系统综述汇总了 45 项观察性研究,多数(27 项,63%)没看到喂奶和产后体重变化有明显关联;方法学质量最高的 5 项里,有 4 项看到了喂奶和体重下降的关联(Neville 2014)。喂奶也许能帮一点,但不会自动把孕期长的体重带走。
iom-lactation-energyneville-2014-breastfeeding-weight-change
第 3 章
奶里哪些营养跟着饭走
Which milk nutrients follow your plate
奶里的营养素分两类:一类跟着妈妈吃什么走,一类不管妈妈吃什么,都被身体稳住。
跟着饭走的:碘、胆碱、 和几种 B 族维生素(B1、B2、B6、B12)。妈妈吃得多,奶里就多;吃得少,奶里就少(Dror 2018)。世界各地母乳里的 DHA 能差二十多倍,最高的在常吃海产的沿海人群(Brenna 2007)。完全不吃动物性食物的妈妈,宝宝从奶里拿到的 B12 可能很少(CDC)。
被身体稳住的:钙、铁、锌和叶酸。妈妈多吃多补,奶里一般也不会跟着多(Dror 2018)。钙的代价由妈妈的骨头来付,钙从骨头借、断奶后还那一章讲这件事。
维生素 D 是个例外:奶里本来就少,远不够宝宝用(Dror 2018)。所以美国儿科学会建议,吃母乳的宝宝,不论纯母乳还是部分母乳,从出生头几天起每天补维生素 D,剂量问儿科医生(Wagner 2008)。
落到饭桌上:做饭用碘盐,吃汞少的鱼,蛋、奶、肉、豆都有;吃纯素的妈妈,B12 要和医生商量。
跟着饭走的:碘、胆碱、 和几种 B 族维生素(B1、B2、B6、B12)。妈妈吃得多,奶里就多;吃得少,奶里就少(Dror 2018)。世界各地母乳里的 DHA 能差二十多倍,最高的在常吃海产的沿海人群(Brenna 2007)。完全不吃动物性食物的妈妈,宝宝从奶里拿到的 B12 可能很少(CDC)。
被身体稳住的:钙、铁、锌和叶酸。妈妈多吃多补,奶里一般也不会跟着多(Dror 2018)。钙的代价由妈妈的骨头来付,钙从骨头借、断奶后还那一章讲这件事。
维生素 D 是个例外:奶里本来就少,远不够宝宝用(Dror 2018)。所以美国儿科学会建议,吃母乳的宝宝,不论纯母乳还是部分母乳,从出生头几天起每天补维生素 D,剂量问儿科医生(Wagner 2008)。
落到饭桌上:做饭用碘盐,吃汞少的鱼,蛋、奶、肉、豆都有;吃纯素的妈妈,B12 要和医生商量。
安全 · 咖啡和酒会进到奶里吗
酒:奶里的酒精浓度和妈妈血里的基本一样,喝下去 30 到 60 分钟时最高,每喝一杯,大约 2 到 3 小时里都能在奶里测出来(CDC)。按这个机制推,奶里的酒精要等血里的酒精被肝脏代谢掉才会退,把奶挤掉不会让它退得更快。新生儿代谢酒精的速度大约只有成人的一半;酒精还会抑制喷乳反射,让奶一时变少(Haastrup 2014)。美国疾控中心(CDC)的说法是:不喝最安全;每天不超过一杯标准酒,目前没发现对宝宝有害,喝了一杯,至少等 2 小时再喂(CDC)。酒精在身体里怎么被处理,酒精代谢那篇有细讲。咖啡因:CDC 把每天 300 毫克以下(约 2 到 3 杯咖啡)算作低到中等的量。有宝宝出现烦躁、睡不好、容易惊的报告;早产儿和刚出生的宝宝分解咖啡因更慢,他们的妈妈可以喝得更少(CDC)。
别的食物:一般不需要为了喂奶专门忌口哪一种食物(CDC)。
cdc-alcohol-breastfeedinghaastrup-2014-alcohol-breastfeeding
实操 · 哺乳期的饭怎么安排
能量:比孕前多吃一点就够。CDC 给营养状况良好的哺乳妈妈的数是每天多 330 到 400 大卡(CDC),差不多是多一顿加餐;饿了就吃,渴了就喝。碘:CDC 引用的推荐量是哺乳期每天 290 微克(CDC)。碘跟着饭进奶,做饭用碘盐,常吃海产、蛋和奶。
鱼:大多数鱼含汞,汞能经奶到宝宝(CDC)。美国食品药品监督管理局(FDA)和环保署建议哺乳期避开汞最高的几种鱼,比如鲨鱼、剑鱼和大西洋马鲛,选汞少的鱼(FDA 2021)。
胆碱和 B 族维生素:它们也随饭进奶(Dror 2018),蛋、奶、肉、豆是日常来源。
吃纯素:宝宝从奶里拿到的 B12 可能很少(CDC),怎么补要和医生商量。
钙和铁:多吃不会让奶里的钙和铁变多(Dror 2018),所以不必为了喂奶加倍;钙从骨头借、断奶后还那一章讲为什么。
fda-epa-fish-advice-2021
第 4 章
钙从骨头借、断奶后还
Calcium borrowed from bone, then repaid
奶里的钙不看妈妈吃了多少,看骨头肯不肯借。纯母乳喂养的妈妈,每天随奶送出去平均约 210 毫克钙,其中很大一部分是从骨头里放出来的:破骨细胞加快拆骨,埋在骨头里的骨细胞也从周围把矿物质取走(Kovacs 2017)。
所以纯母乳喂养 3 到 6 个月,腰椎平均下降 5% 到 10%(Kovacs 2017)。这不是缺钙,补钙也拦不住:一项随机试验给产后妈妈补钙或安慰剂,哺乳的人腰椎骨密度照样下降,补钙组降 4.2%,安慰剂组降 4.9%,奶里的钙也没有变多(Kalkwarf 1997)。
借走的会还。断奶以后,骨头重新长回来,动物和人的研究里,骨里的矿物质和骨头的强度都恢复到原来的水平;多数研究里,喂过奶的女性日后骨密度低、骨折的风险并没有更高(Kovacs 2017)。
所以哺乳期的钙按平时吃够就行,不必为了喂奶加倍。骨头一辈子怎么攒、怎么丢,骨质疏松那篇有细讲。
所以纯母乳喂养 3 到 6 个月,腰椎平均下降 5% 到 10%(Kovacs 2017)。这不是缺钙,补钙也拦不住:一项随机试验给产后妈妈补钙或安慰剂,哺乳的人腰椎骨密度照样下降,补钙组降 4.2%,安慰剂组降 4.9%,奶里的钙也没有变多(Kalkwarf 1997)。
借走的会还。断奶以后,骨头重新长回来,动物和人的研究里,骨里的矿物质和骨头的强度都恢复到原来的水平;多数研究里,喂过奶的女性日后骨密度低、骨折的风险并没有更高(Kovacs 2017)。
所以哺乳期的钙按平时吃够就行,不必为了喂奶加倍。骨头一辈子怎么攒、怎么丢,骨质疏松那篇有细讲。
机制 · 产后的铁怎么补回来
铁的账和钙不一样。奶里的铁本来就少,妈妈多吃、多补铁,奶里的铁也不会多(Dror 2018)。所以产后的铁问题主要在妈妈自己:生孩子时失了血,孕期的铁库存可能已经所剩不多。有一件事在帮忙:全母乳喂养的头 8 周里,月经很少恢复(Visness 1997),每个月随经血流走的那份铁就暂时省下了。
在孕期贫血常见的地区,世界卫生组织说,产后 6 到 12 周可以给妈妈口服铁剂,或铁加叶酸,喂不喂奶都适用;这是一条依据低确定性证据、看当地情况而定的建议,补不补、怎么补由医生定(WHO 2022)。
总是累、脸色发白、心慌气短,一站起来就头晕,去查一次血红蛋白;缺铁性贫血那篇讲怎么查、怎么补。头晕到要晕倒,按产后的危险信号处理,立即就医(CDC)。
第 5 章
产后漏尿和腹直肌分离
Leaks and separated belly muscles
盆底是兜在骨盆底部的一片肌肉,托着膀胱、子宫和直肠,也帮着憋住尿。怀孕时它托了几个月的重量,顺产时又被极限拉伸一次,所以产后笑一下、咳一下就漏一点尿,很常见(NHS)。
盆底肌训练,就是有规律地收紧、放松这片肌肉。证据要分开看:孕期本来不漏尿的女性从孕期开始练,孕晚期和产后 3 到 6 个月漏尿的风险更低;但产后才开始、人人都练,没有看到漏尿明显减少(Woodley 2020)。所以世界卫生组织不建议把产后人人练当成预防,但已经漏尿的妈妈,在家自己练可能有帮助,也不太会有害处(WHO 2022)。
肚皮这边,两条腹直肌在孕期被撑开,中间变宽,这叫腹直肌分离。一项跟踪 300 名初产妇的研究里,产后 6 周 60.0% 的人有,12 个月时还有 32.6%;有没有分离,腰背和骨盆痛的比例差不多(Sperstad 2016)。
漏尿练了也不见好,产后复查时告诉医生(NHS)。产后怎么一步步回到运动,怀孕 + 运动那篇有细讲。
盆底肌训练,就是有规律地收紧、放松这片肌肉。证据要分开看:孕期本来不漏尿的女性从孕期开始练,孕晚期和产后 3 到 6 个月漏尿的风险更低;但产后才开始、人人都练,没有看到漏尿明显减少(Woodley 2020)。所以世界卫生组织不建议把产后人人练当成预防,但已经漏尿的妈妈,在家自己练可能有帮助,也不太会有害处(WHO 2022)。
肚皮这边,两条腹直肌在孕期被撑开,中间变宽,这叫腹直肌分离。一项跟踪 300 名初产妇的研究里,产后 6 周 60.0% 的人有,12 个月时还有 32.6%;有没有分离,腰背和骨盆痛的比例差不多(Sperstad 2016)。
漏尿练了也不见好,产后复查时告诉医生(NHS)。产后怎么一步步回到运动,怀孕 + 运动那篇有细讲。
证据 · 盆底肌训练的试验怎么说
这篇 Cochrane 系统综述纳入 46 项试验、10832 名来自 21 个国家的女性;试验多是小到中等规模,不少偏倚风险中到高(Woodley 2020)。预防:孕期本来不漏尿的女性从孕期开始练,孕晚期漏尿的风险低 62%(中等质量证据),产后 3 到 6 个月低 29%(高质量证据)。治疗:产后一直漏尿的女性,练与不练在产后 6 到 12 个月没有看到确定的差别(低质量证据);产后才开始、不分漏不漏都练,效果也不确定。作者的对照:盆底肌训练治中年女性的漏尿效果更明确,放到孕期和产后反而说不准;有针对性地练,效果也许更大,这还要试验来验证。
世界卫生组织据此不建议产后人人例行练来预防漏尿;对已经漏尿的女性,要告诉她们训练可能有用,在家自己练可能有帮助,也不太会有害(WHO 2022)。
腹直肌分离(Sperstad 2016):300 名初产妇,两条腹直肌之间摸到 2 指宽及以上算分离。孕 21 周时 33.1% 的人有,产后 6 周 60.0%,6 个月 45.4%,12 个月 32.6%。每周搬重物 20 次以上的人更容易有。有没有分离,产后 12 个月腰背和骨盆痛的情况一样。
第 6 章
觉被切碎和情绪起落
Broken sleep and mood swings
产后头几个月,觉不一定睡得少,但被切得很碎。一项给 50 名妈妈戴腕表测睡眠的研究里,产后第 2 到 16 周,每晚总睡眠平均约 7.2 小时,看着不少,却被频繁打断,碎得像睡眠障碍病人;睡眠效率从第 2 周的约 80% 到第 16 周才回到约 90%(Montgomery-Downs 2010)。
情绪也在激素撤退里起伏。生完头几天低落、爱哭、烦躁很常见,叫产后忧郁(baby blues),通常两周内自己过去。如果超过两周还没好,或者产后一年内任何时候出现持续低落、提不起兴趣、和宝宝亲近不起来,可能是产后抑郁,要找医生;伴侣也可能得(NHS)。
为什么有些人会陷进去?一项很小的实验给 16 名女性先模拟孕期的高激素,再突然撤掉:有产后抑郁史的 8 人里 5 人出现明显的抑郁症状,另外 8 人都没有(Bloch 2000)。这提示一部分人对激素骤降格外敏感,不是意志力的问题。
有伤害自己或宝宝的念头,立即求助:在中国大陆可以拨打全国统一心理援助热线 12356,或者直接去急诊。
情绪也在激素撤退里起伏。生完头几天低落、爱哭、烦躁很常见,叫产后忧郁(baby blues),通常两周内自己过去。如果超过两周还没好,或者产后一年内任何时候出现持续低落、提不起兴趣、和宝宝亲近不起来,可能是产后抑郁,要找医生;伴侣也可能得(NHS)。
为什么有些人会陷进去?一项很小的实验给 16 名女性先模拟孕期的高激素,再突然撤掉:有产后抑郁史的 8 人里 5 人出现明显的抑郁症状,另外 8 人都没有(Bloch 2000)。这提示一部分人对激素骤降格外敏感,不是意志力的问题。
有伤害自己或宝宝的念头,立即求助:在中国大陆可以拨打全国统一心理援助热线 12356,或者直接去急诊。
临床 · 产后抑郁怎么筛、怎么防
世界卫生组织建议,产后每次检查都问一问妈妈的情绪,并用经过验证的问卷筛查产后抑郁和焦虑,比如爱丁堡产后抑郁量表(EPDS),或 9 道题的抑郁自评量表 PHQ-9;筛出来的人要有后续的诊断和治疗跟上(WHO 2022)。它也建议在孕期和产后提供心理社会或心理干预,用来预防产后抑郁和焦虑,比如学会应对压力、搭起能求助的人际网(WHO 2022)。
睡眠这一头,碎觉是这几个月的常态,睡眠效率大约要到第 16 周才回升(Montgomery-Downs 2010)。所以身边的人能做的,是在这几个月里分担夜里的照护,并且认得出两周还过不去的低落。
激素撤退那项实验(Bloch 2000)只有 16 个人,它回答的是一部分人为什么对产后的激素变化格外敏感,不能拿来预测某一个人会不会得。
第 7 章
产后什么时候要立刻就医
Warning signs that need care now
生完孩子后一年内,出现下面这些情况不要等,立即就医;联系不上医生,就叫急救或去急诊。看病时要说自己最近生过孩子。
出血:血多到一小时湿透两片卫生巾,或者排出大血块;头晕或晕倒、心跳快、皮肤发白湿冷,也要立即就医。产后大出血多在 24 小时内,最晚 12 周后也可能发生(ACOG)。
血栓:一条腿肿、红、痛,或者突然喘不上气、胸口发紧、胸痛、咳血(CDC、RCOG)。
血压:头痛一直不好或越来越重、看东西模糊或眼前有点点、脸和手肿得厉害、右上腹痛、恶心呕吐得厉害。这可能是产后子痫前期,多在产后几天内,最晚可到 6 周(ACOG)。
感染:体温 38℃ 或以上、发冷、肚子痛不消、恶露有臭味(ACOG、CDC)。乳房一块红热痛,还像得了流感,可能是乳腺炎:继续喂奶,在家处理 12 到 24 小时不见好,就去看医生(NHS)。
情绪:有伤害自己或宝宝的念头,立即求助:在中国大陆可以拨打全国统一心理援助热线 12356,或者直接去急诊(CDC)。
这一篇是科普,不替代产后检查和诊断。
出血:血多到一小时湿透两片卫生巾,或者排出大血块;头晕或晕倒、心跳快、皮肤发白湿冷,也要立即就医。产后大出血多在 24 小时内,最晚 12 周后也可能发生(ACOG)。
血栓:一条腿肿、红、痛,或者突然喘不上气、胸口发紧、胸痛、咳血(CDC、RCOG)。
血压:头痛一直不好或越来越重、看东西模糊或眼前有点点、脸和手肿得厉害、右上腹痛、恶心呕吐得厉害。这可能是产后子痫前期,多在产后几天内,最晚可到 6 周(ACOG)。
感染:体温 38℃ 或以上、发冷、肚子痛不消、恶露有臭味(ACOG、CDC)。乳房一块红热痛,还像得了流感,可能是乳腺炎:继续喂奶,在家处理 12 到 24 小时不见好,就去看医生(NHS)。
情绪:有伤害自己或宝宝的念头,立即求助:在中国大陆可以拨打全国统一心理援助热线 12356,或者直接去急诊(CDC)。
这一篇是科普,不替代产后检查和诊断。
参考文献 · 22
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- NHS. (2026). Postnatal depression: overview (page last reviewed 18 March 2026). Feeling down, anxious or irritable for a few days after the birth is very common, sometimes called the baby blues, and usually goes away within 2 weeks. Postnatal depression can begin in pregnancy, soon after birth or up to a year after; symptoms include persistent low mood, lack of enjoyment and interest, trouble bonding with the baby, sleep problems, and thoughts of suicide or of harming yourself or your baby. Speak to a GP, midwife or health visitor if you think you might have it; fathers and partners can also have depression after having a baby. www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/post-natal-depression/overview
- NHS. (2023). Mastitis (page last reviewed 17 March 2023). Mastitis is when the breast becomes swollen, hot and painful; it is common in breastfeeding women because it can be caused by a build-up of milk. It usually affects one breast and comes on quickly: a hot, painful swollen area, a wedge-shaped lump, burning while breastfeeding, and flu-like symptoms such as aches, a high temperature and tiredness. Keep breastfeeding regularly, check the baby's attachment, use cold compresses and painkillers; see a GP if symptoms do not improve 12 to 24 hours after treating it at home, or 48 hours after starting antibiotics. www.nhs.uk/conditions/mastitis