If your breasts aren’t emptied, it is easy for them to become painfully engorged. As a first step, you’ll want to increase lactation.
It can also be soothing to alternate hot and cold compresses, simply by soaking a cloth in hot or cold water briefly and then wringing it out and applying the hot compress until it cools down and then the cool compress until it warms up (about 5 minutes each).
Cover the wet compress with a dry towel to hold in either the heat or cold longer. Cover the chest after doing compresses to prevent getting a chill.
Soothe sore nipples by applying a salve of calendula and comfrey available at natural food stores. Aloe vera gel can be used but it must be rinsed off before nursing. You can even apply some of your own breast milk, which has antibacterial properties and lubricating oils.
KEEP IN MIND
To promote healthy lactation, it is important to have a good “latch on.” Elevate your baby to the level of your nipple and encourage him to latch on to the areola rather than the nipple.
Start each nursing time with a different breast and vary positions so that the areola doesn’t get too much intense pressure.
Have your baby do all of her sucking when breastfeeding. Frequent use of pacifiers can reduce nursing time, and many of them are made of polyvinyl chloride, bisphenol, and pthlates.
Be calm when you are nursing. Relax and nurture the relationship and focus on the nursing experience rather than nurse while cleaning house or watching TV.
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This How To Produce More Breast Milk article is taken from :
The Country Almanac of Home Remedies - Brigitte Mars
