Patient's question:
I am pregnant and have recently experienced engorgement. I've been feeling uncomfortable, and when I squeezed, I found hard lumps and some pain. I heard that massage can help alleviate the pain. I want to know whether heat or cold compress is better for engorgement with hard lumps?Doctor's answer:
If there are hard lumps during milk engorgement, it is recommended that patients still use warm compresses. Warm compresses can help unblock the milk lumps obstructed in the breast, improve the circulation of the breast, and during warm compresses, pay attention to avoiding the areola and nipple areas because the skin in these two areas is more delicate. The temperature of the warm compress should not be too hot to avoid burning the skin. If there is pain, it is recommended that patients use cold compresses to relieve pain. It is essential to remember to first express the milk before applying the cold compress.