Up to 20% of breastfeeding women can develop mastitis, blocked milk ducts and other inflammatory conditions of their breast. Mastitis can be painful and distressing and is one of the most common causes of women giving up breastfeeding during the first 12 weeks after giving birth. Symptoms: According to the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM) mastitis is defined as a “tender, hot, swollen, wedge-shaped area of the breast associated with a temperature of 38.5 C or greater”,