Natural Parenting

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I remember the first tender days after my daughter was born through a haze of sleep deprivation, engorgement, and sore nipples. I wondered how I could keep doing it every two hours! But with the help of my midwife and a homeopathic remedy or two we were off to a great start and soon the pain went away. I was one of the lucky ones; I talk to many women for whom breastfeeding has been fraught with challenges. Fortunately for our generation, there is much more support out there for breastfeeding now, and the medical establishment has recognized that ‘breast is best’ whenever possible.

Most first time mothers experience some discomfort in the first weeks of breastfeeding. It is very important to make sure that you have a proper latch very early on and that you seek help if you need it to master the technique. If you are having trouble breastfeeding the La Leche League volunteers can provide you with support and resources: www.lllc.ca

Don’t forget to nurture yourself while you attend to the needs of your baby. In the first few weeks, try to sleep when baby sleeps, even if it’s at 2 in the afternoon! Drinking enough water and getting your rest are very important for your milk production. Keep nursing frequently, and don’t feel bad about asking for help, as there are many wonderful services available to offer advice and encouragement, and many of them are free.

Below are a few homeopathic remedies that are commonly used for breastfeeding problems, but remember that this list doesn’t even begin to cover everything, and if you have breast pain with a fever you should always see your midwife or doctor as it may be a sign of infection such as mastitis.

Bryonia: This remedy is useful for engorgement when breasts are painfully hard, hot, pale, and hurt from any movement at all. (Cabbage leaves applied to the breast are also helpful for engorgement, as are warm compresses applied prior to breastfeeding).

Phytolacca: A good one for sore, cracked nipples where pain radiates from the nipple all over the body. It is useful for a lumpy or nodular breast that threatens to become infected.

(If you just have sore nipples try using Lanolin cream first).

Belladonna: For inflammation in the breast that is hard, very hot, red or red streaked. (Take this remedy on the way to see your dr. or midwife because these are symptoms of mastitis.)

Borax: For aching pain in the breasts that continues after nursing. Often there is pain in the breast opposite to the one baby is feeding on. The most common remedy for thrush in mom and baby.

Silica: For breasts that are painful, lumpy, with stitching pains that are sudden and sharp, often in the left breast. For cracked and bleeding nipples or inverted nipples. The back may ache while nursing.

Note: This information is provided for interest only and is not intended as medical advice. Consult your midwife, family doctor, lactation consultant or homeopath.