The list of ailments that homeopathy covers is long reaching!!! However this newsletter I thought I would spend some time covering some new mom issues. Last month we covered menopause, it’s only fair to reach out to those young nursing moms!

As I have said before, I came to homeopathy when my three daughters were babies; it truly changed our lives, and led me down the road to becoming a practitioner myself. It is now my greatest joy to reach out and help young families on the path to a safe and drug free home!

As we have finally learned over these past few decades that mother’s milk is the best! It’s why we have breasts and produce milk. No other species uses artificial means except humans! Somehow we were led down the garden path; man made is better than God made-go figure!! Young mothers need a lot of support if they are to be successful at breast feeding. For some, it comes very naturally, while others truly struggle. It is important if you have a family member that is having difficulty nursing to be as supportive as possible. The last thing you want to do is make them feel less than or to tell them how great and easy it was for you! Encourage them to seek the advice of professionals if you don’t feel you have the skills or the “bed-side manner” to do so. Look up your local chapter of La Leche League, or talk to the birthing center at your local hospital. If you happen to know a mid-wife or doula, all the better.

Mastitis is an infection of the breast tissue that results in breast pain, swelling, warmth and redness of the breast. If you have mastitis, you might also experience fever and chills. Mastitis most commonly affects women who are breast-feeding (lactation mastitis), although sometimes this condition can occur in women who aren’t breast-feeding.(Mayo Clinic)

It is important to know that you can absolutely continue to nurse during mastitis, as you may know, it is encouraged to help undo the blockage. Mastitis is also a sign that the body is telling the mom to slow down, rest and spend time with baby nursing. I found this link for some natural relief from mastitis.

I have also included a list of the most common homeopathic remedies for Mastitis. This is the most precious time as a young mother; remember to relax and reach out for help when you need it; don’t go it alone! Enjoy! It’s the best thing you can do for your child! You won’t regret it!

Homeopathic Remedies for Mastitis

Aconite: sudden onset (like Belladonna), but without the throbbing pain. The onset often follows a sudden change of weather or exposure to cold air or a cold, dry wind. Usually another remedy is required after Aconite, such as Belladonna or Bryonia.

Arnica: for inflammation follows an injury to the breast. Patients feel sore, bruised, and achy. There is fear to have the part touched.

Belladonna: sudden onset with rapidly rising fever. The breast is hot to touch, engorged, swollen, congested — red, hot breast. Throbbing pain in the breasts. The pain is worse from jarring. The right side is more often affected.

Bryonia: begins often with general chills and fever, stitching pains in the breast and headache. The breast feels hard and stony with stitching, needle-like pains. Any movement aggravates the pain. The patient likes a snug bra. Breast feeding is quite painful. The patient will be quite irritable. Very frequently the patient will experience dizziness or faintness on rising from bed. There is strong thirst and not infrequently constipation.

Croton tiglium: excruciating pain in the nipple which extends straight through to the back (at the level of the shoulder blade) with each suck of the baby. The breasts are very inflamed, swollen, and hard. The nipples may crack.

Hepar sulphur: breasts are very prone to abscess. Extreme sensitivity to the least touch; mothers can’t stand for the baby to nurse. Complaints are worse from cold and exposure to the least draft, and better from warmth.

Lac-canium: hypersensitivity to even the slightest touch of clothing on the breasts; jarring also aggravates.

Mercurius: fever, chills, and perspiration without relief; a profuse sweat with a drop in fever; but no subsequent improvement; the patient alternates between hot and cold, uncovering and covering.

Phytolacca: the most common remedy (covers about 50% of mastitis cases.) Breasts become lumpy, with hard knots or nodules, the nipples cake. Sore, fissured nipples. Intense pain in the breast as soon as the baby takes hold of the nipple. The pain often extends to the underarm or it can radiate over the whole body. Favors the right breast. Damp heat relieves, such as local poultices. Some patients may have flu-like symptoms