Breastfeeding Problems – Wonderfully Natural Ways for Resolving it

March 22, 2010 / 

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It is always safer to curtail the usage of medications while breastfeeding despite several drugs having compatibility with breastfeeding. Here is an array of innate resolutions to common breastfeeding problems.

• Breast Engorgement

  Cabbage leaf application compresses could help in allaying moderate-ranging to acute breast engorgement, one of the common breastfeeding problems encountered. There is some proof which indicates they have greater efficacy as compared to ice packs or other therapies, and several mothers preferring cabbage. Ice-cold or normal temperature green cabbage leaves could be applied to breasts in-between breast feeds. However, these should not be applied for over thrice each day and only for twenty minutes each time as they could restrict milk production. The cabbage leaves must be applied till the time they appear wilted and then new leaves be applied in its place.Fenugreek seeds poultice is a conventionally used therapy for breast engorgement or mastitis. By steeping fenugreek seeds (some ounces) in a cupful of water, allow cooling and then mashing them. Placing this mashed up mixture on a cleansed, tepid cloth and used as wrap or heating pad on the affected area.
  

• Mastitis

  In-between feeds, hot or cold compresses could be applied to the breasts for allaying inflammation which could be made from:
  
  • A rosemary-based concoction is made by adding two to four teaspoonfuls of fresh or dry rosemary to a cupful of steaming water. Infusing or steeping for ten minutes and then straining.
  • A dandelion-based compress could be made by boiling nearly an ounce of grinded root of dandelion in 2-3 cupful of water till liquid reduces to half and using compress of resultant infusion.
  • In case the mother is having high temperature then no less than two to three raw pieces of garlic per day could be taken whole or in chopped and ingested as a tablet. Garlic has wide-ranging antibiotic action with no additional side-effects of that experienced with antibiotics intake.
  • Tinctures of Oregon grape root or Echinacea could be taken three to four times per day.
  • Another choice could be blending a dropper full of Echinacea tincture, 3 pieces of raw garlic and 4-6 ounces of carrot extract and drinking the concoction in 2-hourly intervals.

• Plugged or blocked milk ducts

  Lecithin could be beneficial in treatment and averting recurring blocked milk ducts, one of the commonly experienced breastfeeding problems. Even chilled, minced potato application on the affected breasts and covering it with a piece of cloth till it dries is great for treating blocked milk ducts which could be repeated as and when needed.
  

• Tender or sore Nipples

  Prevalently used treatment for nipple soreness or tenderness is tepid water or saline-based dips, breast milk, medically-graded lanolin (Lansinoh) and hydrogel-based dressing. A single tablet of evening primrose oil when taken one every day could be beneficial in averting nipple soreness because of hormonal fluctuations while a woman ovulates or about the time she gets her menstrual periods.
  

• Itchiness or Scratchiness in Nipples

  Soaking the affected nipple for a minute’s time in a solution comprising of a tablespoonful of white vinegar in nearly a cupful of water or allowing the mix to flow gradually over the nipples would provide immense respite.
  
  
  (inspiringmothers.net)
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