Breastfeeding is a wonderful gift for the baby. But it may not often be the most wonderful journey for a mum. Often we faces the challenges of breastfeeding pains and discomfort that are draining physically. If you are a breastfeeding mother, you will come across these symptoms naturally. Here are some remedies to help you cope with the discomforts.

There are 3 main causes of painful breasts.

1. A blocked milk duct which causes swelling of the breasts and acute pain. It usually feels like a bruised lump and  red streak  may radiate out from it.
2. Mastitis , An infection in the breast causes pain as well. It is accompanied by fever and acute tenderness and redness of the breast. The infected breast may become hard, lumpy and swollen
3. Oversupply of milk – Engorgement causes pain

Remedies for Painful / Sore  Breasts

A herbal compress are general first aid for painful breasts. Hot water alone has the beneficial effect as it stimulates circulation and ease the tension in the tissues. Herbs increase the effectiveness. Frequent( 4-5 times a day) or short (3-5 min) consistent applications works better than lengthy application. if there is infection, change the herb compress after use. if there is no infection, the compress can be reuse a few time a day.

• Run a sink full of warm water. Bend over it with your breasts in the sink. Allow the milk to flow out, massaging down from the back of the breast. This relieves engorgement and pain
  
• Use a Hot Compress of Parsley to ease swollen and painful breasts. Place a handful of fresh / dried parsley leaves in a clean
  cotton diaper. tie it with rubber band and steep in simmering water for about 10-15 mins. Compress the breasts.

  

• Try a Hot Compress of Comfrey leaves, fresh or dried to soothe sore nipples, soften engorged breasts and reduce the swollen and painful breast. It helps to unblock the ducts. The preparation is the same as the parsley compress.

• Prepare a cold compress of grated raw potato to draw out the heat of the inflammation. It helps to open clogged ducts and draw out infection , diminished the pain of inflamed breasts and sore nipples. Grate raw potato and apply directly to the breast, cover with a clean cloth. Remove or replace when dry.

• Use a Hot Stone Compress to soothe the tissue and expand the vessels to help releases the milk duct. Boil the volcanic stone for 10 min, wrap it in a towel , compress and push toward the nipple.

Remedies for Blocked Milk Ducts

• Continue nursing on breast with a blocked duct. Nurse or pump every hour but just enough to empty the breast.
• Before nursing, use any of the warm compress first for about 5-10 mins
• You need plenty of rest. The blockages will usually clear within a few hours or overnight.
  

For remedies of mastitis and sore nipple, please read in Lactation Remedies for Painful Breasts ( Part 2)