Breast milk is extremely precious and all-important that colostrum, the first form of milk produced by a mother, is popularly known as “liquid gold”. It is also considered as the first kind of immunity or vaccine that a newborn baby receives.
Breast milk as a whole has a myriad of benefits. It’s extremely high in protective antibodies and white blood cells that get rid of bacteria.
Studies have been conducted about the long-term effects of breastfeeding. It’s been shown that those who were breastfed as babies are less likely to become overweight as children than those who were not breasted and given formula instead. Breastfed babies had an estimated 34 percent reduced risk of being overweight in childhood, even if their mothers themselves were obese or have diabetes.
So, it’s really no wonder that many mothers choose to exclusively breastfeed their babies given these wonderful benefits.
Breastfeeding, of course, does come with its ups and downs, and while it offers unparalleled bonding between mother and child, it also comes with pains and discomfort. Fortunately for breastfeeding mothers, these discomforts, like breast engorgement or clogged milk ducts, can often be relieved and treated at home using quality breastfeeding gel packs.
But with many breastfeeding ice packs available out there on the market, it can be a daunting and overwhelming task for a sleep-deprived, dreary-eyed breastfeeding mum to find the right product.
So, to make lives easier for breastfeeding mums out there, and those who love them, we created a list of what you should look for in a breastfeeding ice pack.
Look for a breastfeeding pack that can be used hot or cold
In a nutshell, there are basically two forms of breastfeeding discomfort: clogged milk ducts and mastitis, or engorged breasts.
Clogged milk ducts make it hard for milk to flow, which stresses both mother and baby. As a rule, warm therapy should be applied when a mother is experiencing clogged ducts. It’s recommended to apply a warm breast gel pack to the affected breasts just minutes prior to breastfeeding. The warmth will encourage milk and blood flow to the breast and will improve milk supply.
The Luxury Breast Gel packs from Magic Gel work two ways: as a hot and cold gel therapy.
To use hot, simply place the gel packs in the microwave for 15 seconds.
Now, when a breastfeeding mum experiences breast engorgement, cold therapy or cold compress is what’s needed in order for swelling to subside. Place the breast pack in the freezer, and it will be ready to use without having to defrost.
And that’s the importance of having a breast gel pack that works hot or cold.
You want one that works well with breast pumps
Breast pumps are another heaven-sent accessory for any breastfeeding mum, especially for working mums. Breast pumps help nursing mothers to pump and store precious breast milk so that the baby can still feed even when the mother is not around.
This is why a breast pack that is designed to work well with breast pumps is essential. There are packs that are uniquely designed and crafted with this in mind, like these luxury breast gel packs. Because they have a side slit, breastfeeding mums can use their breast pumps whilst having the ice pack around their breasts. They work well with most breast pump brands like Lansinoh, Medela, Philips, Tommee Tippee and many more. Even ones with wires can be easily accommodated due to the side slit. Many of our satisfied customers have raved about this feature in the reviews as it really helps them go about their breastfeeding routine with ease.
The best breast ice packs remain flexible when frozen
When you have breasts that are engorged or have clogged ducts, you’ll want to apply the least pressure possible. There are some breastfeeding packs available on the market that become rock-solid when they are frozen. The last thing you need is a hard surface pressing down on sore and tender breasts.
These Luxury Breast Gel packs are made from non-toxic polymer water beads so they contour perfectly around the shape and size of your breasts. There is also a removable micro-fibre cover that’s extremely soft on the edges to ensure that you really have the most comfortable breastfeeding journey.
Invest in a breastfeeding ice pack that is reusable and durable
An excellent breastfeeding ice pack is one that you can use over and over again through the years. When Magic Gel created their Luxury Breast Gel packs, they made sure that the pads can be used up to 300 times, 20 minutes per use.
For such an affordable price, you would be able to use these breastfeeding ice packs not just for your firstborn but your second, third and subsequent babies as well. It’s also worth knowing that these ice packs are not necessarily just for breastfeeding. Those who’ve had surgeries in their chest also find this product to be such a relief.
Get a breastfeeding ice pack that caters to all sizes
Breasts come in many different forms and sizes. That’s why Magic Gel created a breastfeeding ice pack that does not discriminate in size. Measuring 24 x 16.6 centimetres, the Luxury Breast Gel packs are one of the bigger breast ice packs available in the market.
This ensures that the entire breast, including the side rib, will be covered in cold or heat therapy. Breast sizes also change erratically during breastfeeding, so it’s quite important to have a breastfeeding ice pack that moulds around any size perfectly.
Breastfeeding is no doubt a rewarding and challenging journey. Thankfully, there are many resources and accessories available to help a breastfeeding mother care for her child as comfortably as possible. Breastfeeding ice packs are one of the most indispensable tools in breastfeeding. We hope this has been helpful to you in your search for the ideal breastfeeding ice pack. If you have any questions or comments, please send us a note!