Breast-feeding is the way that creates a bond of love between the mother and the child. Mother’s milk is the best for the babies. A baby who feeds on mother’s milk has fewer problems of stomach upsets, less diarrhea, and almost no constipation. He will also have less skin trouble. Breast milk is the best food for a newborn; nothing comes even closer to provide all the nutrients that the baby will need later in life. Breast milk is much easier to digest then any formula in the market, at the same time it provides protection against infections, prevents future food allergies, helps the growth of healthy teeth, and most important it improves brain development.
Breast-feeding not only benefits the child but also to the health of the mother. The pelvic organs will return to normal more quickly, and skin will glow. This is one of nature’s ways to keep a woman young and beautiful.
Breast-feeding is much easier than other formulas and bottles.
Breast engorgement is a common problem that occurs in the feeding mothers in the first two or three weeks after delivery and is more annoying to women with poor skin elasticity. Engorgement is due to increase in the milk filling the breast together with blood and fluid retention in the same area.
Usually the breast feels full, hard, tight, tender, painful, and hot to the touch and a fever may develop, the baby may have a hard time to suck.
Plugged duct is a problem that occurs when the baby does not empty the breast completely on each feeding, the milk remaining in the duct hardens and blocks the duct eventually plugging it. Tight bras can cause plugged ducts as well. If the breast feels sore it might be a sign of plugged ducts.
Feeding the child in the wrong position can crack nipples.
- If your breasts become swollen and painful, apply warm, moist packs two or three times a day.
- If the nipples become sore, carefully sponge them with rubbing alcohol, and then rinse with clean water.
- Change the position of child at each feeding. Rotate between various holds like the cradle, football, and laying down to find the most comfortable positions for yourself. Use pillows to bring the baby up to the height of your breast to reduce tugging and pulling on your nipple.
- Eat alfalfa to stimulate the milk production or to increase the quantity of milk in the breasts.
- Midwives have used goat’s rue for hundreds of years to improve breast milk production by as much as 50%.
- Take a handful of Confrey leaves and steam them for a few minutes wrapped in gauze and placed on the breast is very helpful relieving engorgement. One of the best home remedies for breast feeding problems.
- Soak a towel in hot water and place it on the breast ten minutes before feeding.
- Give your baby frequent feeds on both breast 10 to 15 minutes each.
- Check your nipples every day, if you see dry milk on them or dark dots remove them with a cotton and warm water and feed your child as soon as possible from that breast.
- Place the baby in different positions every time, this will ensure that all ducts are being used.
- Elder is used to reduce swelling of breast infected with mastitis.
- Take plenty of rest during day.
- Drink large amount of fluids.
- Gently keep some green cabbage leaves in your bra for 2 hours. This will relieve the engorgement of breast and this is an effective home remedy for breasts.
- Apply some tea bags on the sore nipples. It will help to reduce the pain of the sore nipples.
- Keep your nipples dry and expose them to air whenever you can. You might try drying them with low heat from a hair dryer.
- Applying a small amount of breast milk when you are done nursing, then letting it air-dry before covering yourself up might help.
- Avoid using soap on your breasts. It can be very drying.
- Prepare a solution of salt and water (1/4 teaspoon of salt per cup of water) and soak your nipples for 15 minutes or so between feeding. this is also an effective home remedy for breasts feeding.
- Massage the lump on your breast firmly between and during feedings.
- Sleep as much as possible. Vigorous arm movements may help loosen up the blockage.
- Chaste tree increases flow of milk, by affecting pituitary's prolactin secretion.
- Milk thistle promotes production of milk and decreases pesticide residues in breast and milk.
- Soak one half cup (regular) barley in three cups cold water overnight, or boil the barley and water for 25 minutes. Strain out barley. Store barley water in refrigerator or cool place until needed. Then heat a cup or two to boiling and add fennel seeds - one teaspoon per cup of barley water. Steep for no longer than 30 minutes. This combination not only increases the breast milk, but also eases after pains and improves the digestion of mother and baby. This is one of the useful home remedies for breast feeding.
- Cumin helps increase milk production.
- Chamomile help control inflamed breast.
- Dandelion is very helpful and popular herb to treat mastitis.
References:
Brent N., et al. Sore nipples in breastfeeding women. Archives Pediatric Adolescent Medicine Nov 1998; 152: 1077-82.
Buchko, B. L., et al. Comfort measure in breastfeeding primiparous women. Journal of Obstetrics Gynecology Neonatal Nursing Jan 1994; 23: 46-52.
Cable, B., et al. Nipple wound care: a new approach to an old problem. Journal of Human Lactation Dec 1997; 13(4): 313-18.
Hill, P.D. and Humenick, S.S. The occurrence of breast engorgement. Journal of Human Lactation June 1994; 10(2): 79-86.
Huml, S. Cracked nipples in the breastfeeding mother. Advance for Nurse Practitioners April 1995.
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