Breastfeeding doesn’t always come naturally, and women often face some hurdles along the way. One of the most common issues that come up for nursing mothers is mastitis. It gets very painful and can progress quickly. You need to treat mastitis promptly because if left untreated, mastitis can lead to breast abscess. Homeopathy for mastitis deals with the infection and inflammation in a matter of hours. You hardly ever need anything else apart from the right remedy.
What you can do to prevent mastitis
Many moms worry that their baby isn’t getting enough milk and is hungry. People quickly suggest topping up with formula. In the majority of cases, though, topping up is not required and really isn’t a good idea. Losing a little bit of weight at the beginning while learning to breastfeed is not going to harm the baby. When breasts are not emptied properly, they get engorged, and mastitis can develop more readily. In addition, topping up can dry up your milk supply.
Also, make sure your bra doesn’t compress your milk ducts and restrict the flow of milk. Underwired bras look pretty on display in the shop, leave them there. Breasts are not meant to be squished and pinched, particularly during lactation.
Treat sore and cracked nipples. Cracks are a gateway for bacteria that reside on the skin. Some good remedies for cracks are listed at the end of this post.
Mastitis often happens during the first four weeks of nursing, especially in first-time mothers. Mom and baby are still settling into their routine, and breastfeeding hasn’t become second nature to them yet. Also, watch out for mastitis at weaning.
If you develop mastitis nonetheless, continue to breastfeed frequently. If you stop suddenly, things can get worse. Some women, however, end up quitting breastfeeding because of mastitis. If you really want to nurse your baby, though, why don’t we throw everything at it. Don’t give up without a good try. Seeing a breastfeeding councillor can really help.
Homeopathy for mastitis – the top three remedies
- Belladonna: useful at the first signs of inflammation. Mastitis that comes on suddenly and quickly becomes intense. Red, hot, swollen, throbbing breast. Pain is worse for jarring.
- Bryonia: sore and hard breasts, much worse for any movement. A woman wants to stay still and have the breast bandaged to prevent it from moving. She feels irritable and cranky. Headache may accompany mastitis.
- Phytolacca: probably the best remedy for mastitis and for the health of the breasts in general – pain, discharge. Sharp, shooting pains that radiate into the chest, arms and throughout the whole body. Better for emptying the breast and warm applications.
Homeopathy for mastitis – other remedies
The top three remedies listed above resolve the majority of mastitis cases very quickly. Other remedies to consider are:
- Croton tiglium
- Phellandrium
- Pulsatilla
- Silica
In addition to homeopathy for mastitis, try cabbage leaves to help with the pain and engorgement. Funny as it sounds, it’s a tried and tested home remedy that really works. Cabbage contains glucosinolates and large amounts of amino-acids, anti-inflammatories and antioxidants. These compounds relieve inflammation, open capillaries and allow milk to flow more freely.
Chill the leaves, crush them lightly and put in a loose-fitting bra in-between feeds. Take hot showers and massage the breast while expressing some milk to unblock milk ducts. Massaging lumpy areas while the baby is feeding also helps with blocked ducts. Warm applications before feeding help promote milk flow.
If the remedy you selected doesn’t help with your symptoms quickly, please reach out to me for help. Mastitis needs attention.
I hope you found this helpful. If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment, please feel free to contact me. I am a qualified professional offering expert homeopathic treatment in Dublin and Online. Family discounts available.
