Hi Rhoda and Lactnetters,

Read the lactnet post about alternate hot-cold treatment for engorgement with
much interest - I have certainly heard of hot and cold applied alternatively
as my much older sister has described her experience with it many times.

She gave birth in Hope, British Columbia in 1967 and suffered terrible
engorgement until an "old English nurse" took her in hand.  The nurse prepared
2 basins - one with as hot as one can stand hot water and the other with ice
water.  Then she instructed my sister to lean over and plunge her breasts
first into the cold and then into the hot, then repeat and repeat ( all rather
theatically carried out with absolute faith on the part of the nurse) with
quick alternations until the milk started to flow.  My sister experienced
immediate relief of pressure as the milk poured forth, apparently in great
volume.

Then my little nephew was able to latch and nurse, which my sister is extemely
proud to claim for 9 months ( which she considered a very long time, and in
that time and place it was).

Have never heard anything akin this technique until you posted a somewhat more
civilized version that that my sister went through, but with the same
immediate results!  Anyone up for an explanation of this???

The sacred cows must be shuddering in their udders.

Happy New Year.

Sheila Humphrey
BSc  RN  IBCLC