Comparing warm compresses application vs. chilled cabbage leaves for relieving breast engorgement among post-natal mothers

Abstract

Background: Breast engorgement is a common problem among postnatal women worldwide, some of whom use warm compresses to promote vasodilatation, improve circulation, and promote the amount of milk produced by the breasts. Conversely, the application of chilled cabbage leaves can reduce pain, the firmness of the engorged breasts, and prolong breastfeeding duration.
Purpose: To examine the effect of warm compresses application as compared to chilled cabbage leaves for relieving breast engorgement and pain.
Methods: Setting: The study was carried out at a postnatal ward and outpatient clinic at two hospitals in Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. Sampling: simple randomization technique was used to divide 100 post-natal women into two groups who received intervention with warm compresses (Group 1) and chilled cabbage leaves (Group 2). Instruments: Instrument I: interviewing questionnaire; Instrument II: six-points breast engorgement scale; and Instrument III: visual analog scale (VAS).
Results: There was a highly statistically significant difference and improvement in terms of reduced engorgement and pain degree for both groups, with greater improvement was observed in Group 2 when compared to Group 1.
Conclusions: Chilled cabbage leaves are effective in the treatment of breast engorgement and pain than warm compresses.
Recommendations: The mothers should be advised to use chilled cabbage leaves as a home remedy to minimize breast engorment and promote comfort, further studies are recommended in this area in order to expand the evidence based approaches on management of breast engorgement.