Breast tenderness
Tender or sore breasts, often accompanied by a feeling of heaviness or
being swollen, are common in most women just before menstruation, during
pregnancy, or while breast-feeding. If none of these causes can explain the
tenderness, consult your doctor for an examination.
During pregnancy, prepare your breasts by massaging them with a little
almond oil after a bath or shower. Avoid using soap on your nipples. Wear
a cotton bra.
If you are producing more milk than the baby needs, express a little
from time to time.
Make sure the nipple is completely in the baby's mouth. This will
prevent the baby from tugging or pulling on the nipple, causing tenderness.
Rub a little breast milk into the nipple after feeding, to help heal any cracks.
Allow the nipples to dry well. Apply calendula cream if they are
still sore.
Reduce stress as much as possible, particularly in the week before your
period. Attending a yoga or
meditation class will help.
Make sure you get enough sleep and time for yourself.
Supplements and herbs
Eat plenty of chopped fresh parsley to help the body expel excess water.
Aromatherapy
Use 6 to 8 drops of essential oil of geranium in a hot bath.
Massage the breasts with a mixture of 15 drops of essential oil of geranium in 3
1/2 tablespoons of a bland carrier oil or lotion.
What else you can do
- Reduce your intake of alcohol.
- Reduce your intake of salt.
- Eat a whole-foods diet, with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and low-fat protein.
- Reduce your intake of coffee.
- Professional massage helps increase the circulation of the blood and lymph
and prevents the buildup of toxins in the body. By improving circulation
to the breasts, massage may help reduce swelling and tenderness if
performed a few days before tenderness is due to begin.
- Do regular, vigorous exercise, such as brisk walking, running, swimming,
dancing, aerobics, or racquet sports.
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