Is it normal for a mother to have a fever when weaning?
Jun 05, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Shuwen
Introduction
Fever in a mother during weaning is generally normal, but if the fever persists or recurs, it is considered abnormal. The following is a detailed explanation: Weaning mainly refers to stopping breastfeeding through artificial intervention. If a mother has an abundant milk supply during lactation, after weaning, milk may accumulate in the breasts and not be emptied in time, which could lead to bacterial growth and infection of the surrounding soft tissues.
It is generally normal for a mother to experience fever during weaning, but recurrent fever is considered abnormal. The details are as follows:
1. Normal
Weaning refers to the process of artificially stopping breastfeeding. If a mother has an abundant milk supply during lactation, milk may accumulate in the breasts after weaning and not be emptied promptly. This can lead to bacterial growth and invasion of surrounding soft tissues, triggering an inflammatory response. Stimulated by inflammatory factors, the body's temperature regulation system may be affected, resulting in fever, which is considered a normal phenomenon. It is recommended to use a damp towel to wipe the body and increase fluid intake, using physical cooling methods to help reduce fever.
2. Abnormal
If milk remains unemptied for a prolonged period during weaning, it may cause inflammation within the breast tissue, leading to mastitis. If the inflammation is not treated promptly or if an abscess develops internally, the mother may experience recurrent fever. In such cases, patients should seek medical advice and may be prescribed medications such as levofloxacin tablets or minocycline hydrochloride capsules under a doctor’s guidance.
After weaning, it is advisable to empty the breasts promptly, maintain good breast hygiene, and regularly clean the area with warm water. Additionally, gradually introduce complementary foods for the baby to ensure adequate nutritional support.
