Lynn says,

> As far as heat vs. ice use, I continue to be more confused with the more I
> read and really don't know what to recommend. It used to be, I would
> suggest
> heat p/t the feed and ice after but one poster suggests ice prior to
> instead.
> I think the only *safe* suggestion at this point is ice after the feed.
> What
> does everyone else suggest?
>
>
We've had this discussion in great detail before....I'm still in the ice
prior to camp:  the trick is to reduce the swelling so the milk has a chance
of moving down the ducts.  However, I have the mom use icy cold compresses
four or 5 times a day for about 20 minutes at any point in time -- what's
more important is cabbage and NOT packing the breasts in hot compresses prior
to the feed which will bring more blood to the area; ergo, increasing
swelling.  I don't put ice on the breasts immediately prior to a feed (don't
want cold milk for the baby, do you??? :>D), and tell her that if she thinks
she'll relax better with some heat to the breasts, then to use it for no more
than a couple of minutes (about as long as it takes for a warm washcloth to
cool.

Has anyone done a scientific study looking at mothers using heat & pumping on
one breast and ice & pumping on the other breast and see which resolves the
engorgement more quickly?  Not to my knowledge -- therefore it's up for
grabs.  Anyone working on their masters and need some sort of research
project?  I have a LOT of them in my brain -- none on paper.

Jan in Wheaton -- still Queen of Cabbage

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