Traditionally, when breast milk is stagnant or mastitis occurs, many breast specialists and doctors will suggest mothers to apply hot compresses to their breasts when their breasts are swollen. However, in actual cases, it is found that many mothers can’t grasp the temperature of hot water when applying hot compresses, and use very hot towels to apply external compresses, resulting in burns to the breast skin; there are also many mothers who vigorously rub and massage the hard lumps after applying hot compresses, which causes capillary rupture; and some mothers have more serious swelling and pain after frequent application of hot compresses. As a matter of fact, hot compresses will not effectively reduce swelling and pain, and improper application of hot compresses may aggravate the situation of breast lumps, making mothers suffer more, and is not conducive to the recovery of breasts. Based on the experience of handling cases, we would like to give some guidance suggestions to the moms. I. Hot compresses are applicable. The first one or two days after delivery, breasts are soft, no obstruction, milk flow smoothly, you can breastfeeding before a moderate hot compress. Backmilk mothers in the case of breast swelling, milking or sucking before moderate hot compresses, can stimulate the lactation reflex. Second, the hot compress method. The water temperature should not exceed 50 degrees, avoiding the nipple and areola, so that the towel is washed and wrung out on the skin when it does not feel hot, hot compresses should not be more than 5 minutes at most. Third, hot compresses attention. If excessive hot compresses, it will accelerate the blood flow to the breast, so that the blood vessels are congested and swollen more seriously, the pain is stronger. So it is only recommended to use moderate hot compresses to stimulate the lactation reflex before breastfeeding or milking, so that the milk flows out faster. Fourth, the harm of different symptoms with hot compresses 1, physiological swelling: hot compresses will accelerate lactation, resulting in the expansion of the mammary ducts more serious, the breast tissue edema aggravated. 2, mammary ducts blocked: many times, the source of silt is actually not in the lump itself, hot compresses can make the hard lumps temporarily soften, but not in time to clean up the front of the block, will only make the hard lumps of mammary gland again milk and hardness enhancement, and oppression of the periphery of the original smooth mammary ducts, the blockage area will be increased. Hot compresses may make the blood vessels more serious and more swollen. 3, mastitis: hot compresses will accelerate the production of milk, and the elimination of stagnation is very slow, but may aggravate the symptoms. If it is infected mastitis, in the case of the breast tissue itself is already infected, do not apply hot compresses, hot compresses may aggravate the spread of infection. Nomenclature: 1, physiological swelling: generally appear in the first few days after delivery, due to postpartum hormonal changes caused by blood circulation and lactation volume rapid increase caused by breast tissue edema. Breast skin looks very tight, the mother will feel like two big lead ball hanging in front of the chest, both sides of the breast is hard and painful, some mothers will even have a fever, but usually as long as the mother diligently breastfeeding the baby effective sucking, after the milk flow, usually within 24 hours the fever will automatically go down, the swelling of the breasts will be in two or three days or so to go away. 2.Mammary duct blockage: It can occur at any time during the breastfeeding period, and there is a localized painful hard lump in the breast, and the skin on the hard lump may be red, but there is no fever. 3.Mastitis: it can occur at any time during the breastfeeding period, red, swollen, hot and painful breasts, like the symptoms of a cold, chills, fatigue and fever. Best solution for swollen breasts: The best way to prevent breast swelling is to let the baby start sucking as early as possible. Feeding regularly (once every 2-3 hours) will keep the milk ducts open, thus making it less likely to produce breast cramps. What should I do when my breasts are already swollen? Before breastfeeding, you can hold the breast with your hand in a C-shape and press it against the chest wall, then press the areola with your thumb and forefinger to squeeze out some milk, so that the areola will become soft before letting the baby suckle, which will make it easier for the baby to latch on to the nipple and suckle effectively. What should I do if my breasts are very swollen and painful? Available breast pump to suck out the milk; in addition, you can put a basin of warm water on your knees, bend your upper body to your knees, soak your breasts in the basin, gently shake your breasts, with the help of gravity can make it easier to flow out of the milk; or can be in the shower, while showering while massaging the breasts. If the pain is too much to bear, you can ask your doctor to give painkillers, which have no effect on the baby. In short, do not put your hopes on hot compresses, basically no substantial effect, hot compresses plus vigorous massage is even more undesirable.