I got the first breast milk in yesterday and I have tried to massage/express etc the breasts to get the milk flowing but they are just so sore and I am afraid I will get an infection soon if I don't do anything!
2006-11-08 05:17:50 · 19 answers · asked by tanja 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Trying to Conceive
I've heard that putting a cabbage leaf in your bra helps, I'm not kidding give it a go! I'm not sure why it works but I'll look for a link explaining it and post it here if I find one!
EDIT:
Here you go, this is an Australian site about Mastitis. You won't have mastitis I don't think, especially if your milk has only just started coming through but it mentions the cabbage leaf thing and might also contain some other useful info?!
http://www.askted.com.au/askted/displayContent?content=Mastitis.xml&path=/WebSite/AskTedArticles/familyHealth/Health_Feature/
2006-11-08 05:20:40 · answer #1 · answered by doodlenatty 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is it the nipples that are sore? You could try a cream, but the best way is to keep them as dry and warm as possible. There are special shells you could buy to keep the clothes away from them.
You should not massage the nipples. If you have been cold or need to get the milk flowing, you should take a long, really hot shower. Then massage from the top of the breasts towards the nipples while the hot water is running. It takes a while, but you will avoid infections.
Good luck! :)
2006-11-08 13:25:11 · answer #2 · answered by Bea 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lay in a warm/hot bath, get a flannel, soak it and lay the flannel over the breast. Do this a few times, then with your hand rub down the breast, this will express some milk out. Warming the breast unclogs the milk from the ducts and gets it flowing again.
The pain is called mastitis. It can be very painful. See http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T022200.asp for more information.
Hope it clears up soon. I remember the pain only too well.
2006-11-08 13:39:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cabbage leaves are great relief if you are not allergic to sulfa. The sulfur in the leaves helps to dry out your milk supply so if you are breastfeeding only use them for about 15 minutes a few times a day to releive the pain/swelling. If you are not breastfeeding, place cold cabbage leaves in your bra until they start getting soggy and then just replace them. Another thing that will help (if not breastfeeding) is keeping your breasts binded as much as possible. Try a sportsbra or something that will constrict a little. The more milk you express, the more milk you will produce, so if you are breastfeeding try pumping! Call your doctor with fever, chills, or any redness or discharge...you could have an infection!
2006-11-08 13:33:17 · answer #4 · answered by trlyblesst 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most women get a little milk fever 5-7 days after giving birth. don't worry it doesn't last long. But it is sore to feed at this time. Unfortunately there is no easy way round it, if you want to breast feed you have to persevere, and you can express so you could use a breast pump.
And cabbage leaves are supposed to help with the pain. But it does pass and is perfectly natural so don't worry. Good luck!
2006-11-08 15:20:13 · answer #5 · answered by kiku 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had a very very hot bath, and stayed in for a very very long time, its sooo painful, i just kept topping the water up. because they are so big (mine were, although not normally lol), they rest on your body this makes it feel worse, in the bath they float and the pressure is taken off them, i hope this helps, and i hope for ur sake it last too long. **** luck, oh also the hot water makes them a leak a lot more! so be careful when getting out of the bath if you do take the advice
2006-11-08 17:35:20 · answer #6 · answered by button moon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A bag of frozen peas on each breast. I would recommend putting a towel over your bra because it will get cold. The good thing about peas is the bag can form to the shape of your breast and when you are done with them, you can cook with them or re-freeze them and use them again!
It worked wonders for me!
2006-11-08 13:22:21 · answer #7 · answered by Keri E 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
try cornflour, will not harm the baby, but be careful, you may have mastitis, i had this on my last one, the feeling goes from sore to a hot, burning sensation and swelling in the breast, speak to your midwife ASAP if this happens!
2006-11-08 13:24:42 · answer #8 · answered by Welshchick 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cold cabbage leaves are great if that does not help have a warm bath and express while you in having a soak,if you still have probs talk to your midwife in case your baby is not postioned correctly.
2006-11-08 16:35:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try putting a warm cloth on them.Try feeding baby every 2 hours.I know it hurts but there is almost instant relief.
2006-11-08 13:53:59 · answer #10 · answered by mama3 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋