Cabbage Leaves... fact or fiction???

[Thevirginmummy1]

I'm going to try it anyway but I started breastfeeding five days ago. All went well initially but now my boobs are huge and nipples are killing me. Didn't have any of this with DS. Have expressed some which has relieved it a bit but willing to try anything. MIL has been tasked with going to the Greengrocers tomorrow....

Won't help sore nipples, may well ease engorgement ( there are some Studies affirming this). But you absolutely need proper help. You can call midwife tonight and get some advice and ensure you get home visit tomorrow.

Yes but they must be Savoy cabbage leaves. Cold from the fridge was best I found. Put one on each breast and bra holds in place. I found that they drew out the heat and soothed more than anything.

I second getting some proper support from midwife or breast feeding advisor.

They worked for me. Also, try expressing under warm water, by hand, in the shower. However, I also had mastitis so would recommend a Dr as, unchecked, that is agony.

If your nipples are cracked you'd be better off with Lansinoh and letting them air dry. (I spent approx the first three months topless on the sofa, desperate for the pain to subside!)

If they're going white after a feed and also hurt more then it's possible you have Vasospasm/Reynaud's Syndrome, particularly likely if you have bad circulation elsewhere. The only thing that helped me (once the cracking and bleeding had stopped) was wearing two nursing bras with those gel handwarmers and an extra layer of fleece fabric between them, to keep them as cosy as possible! Obviously please be sensible if following this suggestion.

Finally, so you have any idea what the underlying cause of the pain is? Has your latch been checked? I had to be seen by at least 4 HCPs before someone confirmed my boy had tongue tie, and once that was clipped at 8 weeks, things did start to improve.

Chin up - it will get better!

They help engorgement a bit. I put mine in the freezer. Beware of them digging in though, I lay down for a nap with them in and got mastitis a few hours later!

Thanks everyone. Midwife came on Fri and is due again tomorrow. I think part of the problem is they're so full she can't latch properly and so that's making them sore and it's just becoming a vicious cycle. Just need a bit of relief I think. Will definitely try expressing in the shower. Laquila I love your cosy boobs suggestion though I suspect it sounds a lot cuter than it really was.
I'm using Lanisoh and rubbing breast milk in them and letting them air dry. Hoping it will all ease soon. Xxx