Homeopathy in Winchester - Breast Feeding Difficulty

Mel Owen-Browne, our homeopath talks about why so many women have problems breastfeeding and the support that is on offer:-Despite huge public awareness that breastfeeding is the best form of nourishment for newborn babies and the government recommendation suggests a six month period is best for the health of the baby and the mother, a huge percentage of women still give up in the early days following birth.Numbers are much higher in young women and lower socio-economic groups but even in Winchester, the rates of drop-off are high, suggesting that women find it hard to feed and encounter problems that they can’t resolve.  Reasons stated most often are nipple pain and lack of milk for the child.  However, according to the Winchester breastfeeding counsellors, only around 1% of women physiologically can’t breastfeed.  They say that women lack the belief and confidence in their bodies. In addition, peer and family pressure play a major role in women choosing to give up.Nipple pain can result from many issues, including blocked ducts, engorgement, cracked nipples, mastitis or issues relating to the baby such as tongue-tie or mouth thrush.  More often than not, the problems arise from incorrect attachment of the baby and just a little help and guidance can resolve the problem.We are so lucky to have the support of counsellors who run a drop-in Wednesday morning group (9.30am – 12.30pm) at Lanterns Centre, Bereweeke Road.  Women can go for help as many times as they need, free of charge, in a caring and supportive environment.Once mastitis, (painful inflammation of the breast) becomes infective, the common treatment is antibiotics.  However, there are more natural treatments on offer which can stimulate the natural healing potential of the body, bringing about relief from pain and allowing the woman to continue feeding.  A combination of the appropriate remedy and a help with attaching the baby correctly can go a long way to restoring pain-free, enjoyable feeding. The three main homeopathic remedies to try for mastitis are:Belladonna  200– hot, hard, painful breasts, engorgement, throbbing, feverBryonia 200– hard, hot, painful breasts, made worse by the slightest movement, emotionally irritablePhytolacca  200– inflamed, lumpy breasts due to blocked ducts,  pain during nursing, cracked nipples, pain radiating out from the nippleIn acute pain, suck one pill 2 hourly for 4 doses then twice a day for a few days until relief is gained. If you can’t find the remedies in your pharmacy, try Helios homeopathic pharmacy on 02073797434 for next day delivery.My clinic runs here every Tuesday, Wednesday and one Saturday per month.  I offer a post-natal one hour consultation which will look at all areas of physical and emotional healing, breastfeeding problems, including milk supply, as well as treating your baby for colic, reflux, thrush etc. If you had a traumatic birth experience and are struggling to cope, a well selected remedy  will help to restore balance and harmony so you can enjoy your baby at this precious time.