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Subject:
From:
Denise Fisher <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 14 Aug 2002 09:00:36 +1000
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At 12:11 AM 13/08/02 -0400, Kermaline J. Cotterman wrote:
>I never had the nerve to try it on edematous mothers because I wondered
>whether it would be extremely drying to the skin, especially the skin of
>the nipple.

That hasn't been a problem Jean.  It's not as if it's being used for very
long periods of time either ...  my preferred use for it is with the
swelling associated with blocked ducts and mastitis.  It is so soothing and
gets results so quickly in these cases.  But it probably is only used 2 or
3 times.
I haven't used it for engorgement associated with Lactogenesis II yet - I
am firmly in the school which believes that cold is the most appropriate
treatment for this initial engorgement and it didn't occur to me until a
few months ago to dissolve the Epsom salts in cold water for this problem,
and have yet to try it.  If anyone does try it please let me (and us all)
know your opinion and the mother's comments about it.

>therefore it sounds as if it might somehow  create an osmotic attraction
>to induce interstitial fluid to migrate outward through the skin to the
>stronger solution, if that is in fact possible physiologically.

Ahhh yes, well that's the mysterious part that I really don't understand.

>How long should the soaks last and has anyone written this up?

It was written up in an ALCA Galaxy quite a few years ago.  I don't have a
copy of it now.  Any other Aussies out there still got that edition?  The
way I use it is to toss a handful of Epsom salts into an ice cream
container of warm water.  The mother leans over the container submerging
her breast and massaging gently.  That's it.  The treatment is finished
either when the water gets too cool or she's had enough.  (Very scientific!)

>works as well as you describe, it should be much more widely known, and
>someone should be doing some research on it, given the prevalence of
>edematous breasts in our culture. I would love to learn more about it.

My colleagues and i have spoken about this several times ... doing the
research on it that is ... and it's the usual old story - too busy making a
living to add this into the agenda.  :-(

>I could "get into" this much more easily than I can "get into" believing
>in the power of cabbage (beyond the power of suggestion and hocus pocus)

Ahh well - maybe that's why I haven't tried the Epsom salts with initial
engorgement, because however it works the women I use cabbage with love it.

Denise

*************************************************
Denise Fisher MMP, BN, IBCLC
BreastEd Online Lactation Studies Courses
http://www.health-e-learning.com

*************************************************

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