I'm always hesitant to put heat on a swollen or overful breast...
This breast will involute if mom stops taking milk out. She can use ice 
for comfort, some non steroidal antiinflammatory meds if the doc 
approves (ibuprofen being AAP "compatible with bf" and Tom Hale's pick 
of the NSAIDS), and only hand express the minimal amount of milk 
necessary to be comfortable.

Actually, incisions in the breast usually heal faster if the breast is 
still used, because the milk is happy to flow out the easiest way. If 
milk is exiting the nipple regularly, there will be less pressure for 
milk to leak out the incision. Delayed healing is not a big issue 
though, since milk leaking out also keeps the incision from becoming 
infected. As long as there is no infection and healing is happening 
gradually, there is no rush. And there is certainly no reason to wean 
from the other breast. Perhaps you can support mom in being firm with 
the doctor in expressing her own goals and desires in this situation.
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC NYC

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