When you’re a parent, it’s natural that you only want the best for your babies. Perhaps this is also why you’ve chosen to breastfeed your child. Doctors and health professionals worldwide agree that breastfeeding provides the most ideal nutrition and antibodies for your babies. It can also help lower the risk of breast and ovarian cancer in mothers.
It’s important that you have the best tools and accessories with you to help you in your breastfeeding journey.
You don’t need to go bust with breastfeeding tools. We are here to show you why using breastfeeding gel packs is your best and most affordable choice.
Breastfeeding gel packs help relieve plugged ducts and mastitis
Pardon the graphic comparison, but similar to a water tap that gets calcium build-up over time, breasts can also get blockage in the milk ducts. The result of this is poor and insufficient drainage of the duct. Reasons for clogged milk ducts vary—from the baby not latching on properly to the nipple, to infrequent feedings or to wearing bras that are too tight. In all cases, when milk builds up in the duct area, it builds a blockage, the pressure of which may lead to lumps or physical discomfort.
When used as a heating gel pad, breastfeeding gel packs can help relieve plugged ducts and mastitis. After heating the pad to a comfortably warm temperature in the microwave or simmering water, simply apply the heated pads to your breasts for 20 minutes at a time, and you’ll find relief from swollen ducts due to build-up. Your breast milk flow will also improve because of this.
Warmth is long-known to be a relief for clogged milk ducts and breastfeeding mothers who do not have breastfeeding gel packs turn to soaking the breasts in warm water with Epsom salt for pain relief and to unclog the ducts. This can be a troublesome and timely method, which you’d be able to do quickly and conveniently (without getting out of bed or from a resting position) with heated breastfeeding gel packs.
The gel packs can relieve breast engorgement
When a mother produces more milk than her baby can consume, it leads to breast engorgement. This makes the breasts become firm and swollen, making it harder to breastfeed.
In some cases, the swelling may go all the way up to the underarm area as the breasts become tight, lumpy, tender and veiny.
Breast engorgement is common during the first two weeks upon giving birth, as this is caused by an increase in blood flow to the breasts, coupled with a sudden surge in milk supply.
Mothers with engorged breasts sometimes develop a low-grade fever along with a general feeling of fatigue and being run-down. Engorgement also normally occurs when a mother is not breastfeeding enough, or they’ve had very long intervals between nursing and pumping. A fussy or sickly baby who does not want to breastfeed may also sometimes be a reason.
When used as a cold compress, Magic Gel’s Breastfeeding Ice Packs can provide immediate pain relief to engorged breasts. Use them in-between feedings and they will prevent further inflammation and pain to your breasts.
Breastfeeding gel packs can sooth sore nipples
Sore and cracked nipples can be all-too familiar to a breastfeeding mother. Many times, this is caused by improper positioning of the baby. When they are not getting milk quickly enough, babies tend to suck or bite harder, leading to sore nipples. In some cases, sore nipples can also happen when a mother pulls the baby’s mouth away from the breast without first breaking the suction.
When sore nipples are persistent despite attempts at improved positioning and latching methods, doctors can also check babies for having a short frenulum, also called a “tongue-tie”. The frenulum is what connects the tongue to the bottom of the mouth.
In any case, sore nipples can be inevitable when breastfeeding, but cooled breast gel packs can offer immediate pain relief and help subside swelling. After breastfeeding, you can use breastfeeding gel packs as a cool compress to your breasts, making sure that the nipples are exposed to the cold temperature. These Breastfeeding Ice Packs by Magic Gel are also compact and small enough that they can be worn inside your bra. This will allow you to have sore nipple therapy while being hands-free.
They can increase milk flow
There are times when new mothers may feel as if their breasts are not producing enough milk to satisfy their babies. There are many ways to increase your milk supply fast, including nursing on the baby’s demand (as milk flow is based on supply and demand), special lactation massages, pumping milk using hands or a breast pump, consuming natural ingredients like fenugreek and fennel seeds and many more.
Heat or warm therapy is also a known method to increase milk supply. A rapid rise in skin temperature will increase blood circulation to the targeted area. The increased circulation is what encourages healing and pain relief, as well as stimulation for increased milk flow.
Before breastfeeding, apply quality-made breastfeeding gel packs like Magic Gel’s Luxury Breast Gel packs to encourage milk flow. This type of breastfeeding gel pack can be used hot or cold, so for the purpose of increasing milk flow, be sure to pop them in the microwave first.
Breastfeeding gel packs are better than homemade ones
We’re sure you’ve Googled them all before: The Ziploc bag method, the frozen green peas bag routine, the frozen wet towel technique and the all-time popular cabbage leaf hack. These homemade DIY breastfeeding packs do work, yes, but they are temporary, time-consuming to make and, let’s be honest, they’re not exactly the best options for a sleep-deprived breastfeeding mother.
When it comes to breastfeeding pain relief—be it engorgement, mastitis or increasing milk flow—you need both hot and cold therapy. These DIY homemade remedies often only provide cool relief, but good quality breastfeeding gel packs like Magic Gel’s Luxury Breast Gel packs are made for both hot and cold uses. If you need it as a cold compress, just place them in the freezer. They are also flexible even when straight out of the freezer, so they mould perfectly around breasts, which is crucial especially when they are tender and painful.
In other words, these premium hot and cold breast gel packs are specifically made and designed for breastfeeding relief purposes. They are also durable and are made for multiple uses (Magic Gel’s Luxury Breastfeeding Ice Packs can be used up to 300 times).
Breastfeeding is one of the most rewarding parts of being a mother. The pains and discomfort that come with it are natural, but that does not mean that you can make-do with DIY hacks or tolerate the pain.
Here are Magic Gel, we’re in the business of pain relief so that you can breastfeed more effectively. After all, happy mummy, happy baby!
If you have any questions for us, or would like to share your breastfeeding experiences, do get in touch, we’d love to hear from you!