′How to Treat Mastitis at Home

Motherhood is such a fulfilling and beautiful experience. But you also go through some hiccups during the early stages. One of them is breastfeeding problems that may create an obstacle when nursing your child. Mastitis, which is the inflammation of the breast, is one of the challenges that affects 30% of breastfeeding moms.

No one prepares you for the pain and discomfort you must endure when your breast gets affected. But you don’t have to worry. The good news is that you can treat it at home, and this blog takes you to how to treat it at home.

A Warm Compress

An excellent way to keep the milk flowing and soften the blockage is by placing a warm compress on the affected area. Simply wrap a hot facecloth around your breast every few hours for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Ensure you keep the facecloth warm as long as it stays on the affected area. You may then cool press the area when you want to nurse or express.

Nurse or Express

The secret to treating mastitis is you must remove the lump for the milk to continue flowing again. So ensure you nurse your baby as frequently as possible, and the trick is to ensure that they are latching on properly.

Alternatively, you can manually express or use a breast pump to clear the clog. Once you’re done nursing your baby, try expressing the remaining milk your baby wasn’t able to remove. The milk might look different once you do this but see your doctor immediately if the milk is smelly or green, which indicates infection.

Massage

When you feel a lump on your breast, start gently massaging it immediately. By doing so, you prevent the clog from getting worse. Though it may hurt because of mastitis, try massaging deeply using your knuckles.

Start massaging from outside the spot as you increase the pressure towards your nipple. A deep massage is effective in removing the clog, and the best time to do so is while taking a shower for maximum relief.

Take a Shower

Nothing soothes an engorged breast than taking a warm shower. Stand facing the spray and let the warm water run on the affected breast. Though a shower with a higher pressure, works best, but you’ll still be relieved as long as the shower is warm. What happens is you’ll see milk trickling from the breast, which unblocks the clog.

Cabbage Leaves

You might think it’s a myth, but cabbage leaves do work! Cabbage is perfect for easing discomfort because they contain an anti-inflammatory effect when you apply it to your skin. Simply wrap the leaves around the affected breast and leave them once they start feeling warm. You’ll notice the swelling coming down and you’ll experience some relief.

In Closing

These five home remedies are effective in treating mastitis at home. However, check in with your doctor if the situation is not improved, and you’ve developed flu-like symptoms. If left untreated, it may advance to bacterial mastitis, which may be severe.

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