Though I luckily had easy pregnancies and deliveries, I suffered when it came to breastfeeding. I had plenty of milk, but my breasts developed mastitis with both babies, which made feeding them extremely painful. 

What Is Mastitis?

Mastitis is an infection of the mammary gland’s ducts, usually caused by a blockage of milk. The infection causes inflammation, pain, and the overwhelming urge to NOT breastfeed. But in fact, more breastfeeding is exactly what is recommended to clear the blockage and fight the infection. 

It's also recommended to drink lots of water, to rest and relax with your baby, and breastfeed as much as possible.

Mastitis Home Remedy: Cabbage

One easy home remedy that's been used for centuries is to apply fresh cabbage leaves topically to swollen, sore breasts.

Cabbage is relatively easy to find at the market. It's inexpensive, and it's very straightforward to use with no special ingredients or supplies needed.

Simply pull a cabbage leaf off the cabbage and soften it by pounding on it a bit. You can accomplish this by placing it on your leg or knee and gently smacking it with your hand. The goal is to break up the fibrous leaf and soften it so that it is pliable.

Then, place the soft cabbage leaf directly on your sore breast. It will feel cool and refreshing, and then it will quickly become warm. Remove it and replace it with another softened leaf, and so on. This application might last 10 minutes and you’ll need to do it several times daily. But you’ll feel the cooling relief immediately and it will hasten healing. The leaf draws inflammation out of the breast, soothing the breast tissue and easing the infection's symptoms.

In addition to drinking plenty of water, breastfeeding more, and caring for yourself with good food and rest, this is one of the easiest ways to support yourself when you’re dealing with painful mastitis.

#Pregnancy, Mama & Baby, #Home Remedies #Breastfeeding Herbs