Dear Friends:
    As far as I know, there is no evidence that says  one is better than 
another for swollen breasts.
    There are, however, many opinions.
    Advocates for the use of cold talk about cold  reducing swelling and pain 
on other injured body parts; however, a breast is a  different part than a 
knee or an ankle. Some cultures, where a postpartum woman  is considered to be 
in a cold state, will be upset at the idea of putting cold  on a breast; I 
believe some Hispanic and some Asian cultures have this belief. A  mother who 
holds this belief may wean, because she may feel her milk is damaged  by the cold.
    Mary Ziemer discovered that the use of cool, wet  compresses was 
effective in dealing with sore nipples. 
    Others recommend heat, again based on the notion  that the use of heat in 
other body parts promotes fluid movement. 
    However, no one has any research study about the  subject.
    One can ask the mother what she  prefers. 
    And pretty please, can someone do a study: this is  a great idea for  a 
thesis!
    warmly, 
 
Nikki Lee RN, MS, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CCE
Maternal-Child Adjunct  Faculty Union Institute and University
Film Reviews Editor, Journal of Human  Lactation
www.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com

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