Easing Sore Breasts

AussieDoula · 06-25-2006, 05:01 AM

Many of my postpartum mamas complain of tender breasts, so I had a flash of inspiration about a week ago to come up with something they could use to ease that discomfort...
I'm sure a lot of you have heard about "Cool Ties". A few years ago I used to make these with a charity group for the troops in Iraq. They are long strips of fabric sewn together, then filled with polymer crystals (like you use in gardening to keep the soil moist). When they are soaked in water, they will stay cool for hours.
So, last night I whipped up a broader panelled tube and put some crystals in there for my next postpartum meeting (this many crystals should remain cool for days, and is reusable)! It's nice and long so that the mama can wrap it around her sore breasts and tie it in the back (I am thinking of shortening the next one and sewing velcro closures to reduce the bulk).
I expect that this is going to be helpful to a lot of my postpartum mamas with engorgement or swelling, and it is cheap and easy to make!

Just thought I would share the tip!

sprout18 · 06-25-2006, 08:50 AM

This sounds awesome! Thanks for the tip. Do you maybe have a picture of it so I can get a better idea of how to make it?
Ericka

birthhands · 06-25-2006, 10:00 AM

That is a wonderful idea! Another tip for easing sore breasts due to engorgement is cold cabbage leaves placed directly on the breasts. Yup, you heard me right

AussieDoula · 06-25-2006, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birthhands

That is a wonderful idea! Another tip for easing sore breasts due to engorgement is cold cabbage leaves placed directly on the breasts. Yup, you heard me right

An oldie, but a goodie, hehe.

tlcdoula · 06-25-2006, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by birthhands

That is a wonderful idea! Another tip for easing sore breasts due to engorgement is cold cabbage leaves placed directly on the breasts. Yup, you heard me right

It is a good idea, but you need to make sure mama knows not to overdue it or else she will start to dry up her milk.

teachinmamaof4 · 06-25-2006, 05:03 PM

In the breastfeeding class that I observed for certification the IBCLC had a cute idea. She said to take a newborn diaper (well...two..lol), put some water on them and freeze them.

You can also do the same for a sore bottom with maxi pads.

Stacie · 06-25-2006, 07:52 PM

Quote:

It is a good idea, but you need to make sure mama knows not to overdue it or else she will start to dry up her milk.

true -- i only recommend this to moms who want to dry up their milk.

AussieDoula · 06-25-2006, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sprout18

This sounds awesome! Thanks for the tip. Do you maybe have a picture of it so I can get a better idea of how to make it?
Ericka

When I make the next one, I will post a step-by-step picture tutorial, because if you have a sewing machine and some fabric, it is sooooo easy!

sacredma · 06-25-2006, 09:18 PM

i have had a few mothers who had extremely sore nipples. there is a product called soothies and it works great. its basically a reuable gel pad and you can put in the fridge to make it cold. we have had great results with it when nothing else worked.
mavis