Cabbage & Warm Water for Engorgement Relief!

Many mothers (especially new mothers) will want to breastfeed their cute little babies. 

Breastfeeding

For some, breastfeeding comes naturally and for some, it's a learning experience. I am a new mother to my 20 days old baby and breastfeeding was tearful at the beginning. I was worried that I don't have enough milk to supply the ever increasing demand. Now, I have enough and sometimes more until you get engorgement of the breast. 

What is engorgement?

Engorgement usually happens when the breasts switch from colostrum to mature milk. However, engorgement can also happen later if lactating mothers miss several nursing and not enough milk is expressed from the breasts. It can be exacerbated by insufficient breastfeeding and/or blocked milk ducts. When engorged the breasts may swell, throb, and cause mild to extreme pain. With this, you are not able to nurse your baby, either because the milk is not coming out or you are in too much pain!!

How to ease off engorgement? 

You will demand for ANYTHING to relief the pain and I am sure if you are able to avoid taking any medication, it would be best. There are 2 ways you can try before attempting medication:-

1. Cabbage Leaves

Cabbage

Take the cabbage leaves (1 for each side) and place it over your engorged breast for about 1 hour (slightly longer or until leave wilted if you still feel engorge).

2. Warm Water

Use a soft handkerchief and soak it into warm water fully. Than, squeeze dry the handkerchief. Make sure the handkerchief is still warm. In small circular motion, go around your engorged breast focusing especially on those lumpy area.

Warm Water

This should sooth the lump and let the milk flow easier; be it for feeding or pumping. 

Just remember, it's like street traffic in there. If you don't ease it enough, there will be traffic congestion that will gives us a massive headache if not being attended to.