Homoeopathy is an excellent option for all aspects of pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. It can help with many problems in pregnancy, from piles to sciatica to heartburn to turning breech babies. During labour it can help with delay, panic, painful contractions, retained placenta and haemorrhage.

Also, a homoeopath can help with the emotional challenges of motherhood, of the fears and stresses we all experience. A common remedy for feeling overwhelmed (a familiar experience, I’m sure you’ll agree) is Sepia.

• Finding a Homoeopath

While there are stand alone remedies for different breast feeding problems, it is really advisable to contact a homoeopath and at least have a session with them so that you have someone to contact and ask advice of, about appropriate remedy choice, potency and dosage. The system works holistically – it is best to treat you, rather than individual symptoms, and for that you need a practitioner.

Find a homoeopath through your local health food shop, or by looking in the Golden Pages for someone near you. You will have a more personal relationship with your homoeopath than you might with your doctor, as they will consider your emotional state as well as your symptoms, so it’s a good idea to make sure you feel comfortable with the practitioner you choose.

You can also go to Nelson’s Homoeopathic Pharmacy on Duke Street in Dublin, or call them and have remedies sent to you.

• How it works

The nice thing about homoeopathic medicine is how specific it is. You will find your exact complaint in the repertory, and a remedy to go with it. Your homoeopath will be able to match your symptoms to an overall picture and give you the appropriate remedy or remedies. These will work gently with your body to cure the problems from within.

It is a very safe option – if you take a remedy not suited to you, the chances that it will have no effect. Nor will the remedies do your baby any harm – the remedies are made by a process of dilution – by the time they reach you there is no actual physical substance left – this is why the medical profession considers them to work by placebo effect. But the water contains the essence of the original substance. This is why remedies made of toxics substances, like Belladonna (deadly nightshade) are no longer poisonous.

Remedies are sensitive and should be kept out of direct light, and away from strong smells. Try to avoid coffee and mint while taking them. Suck or chew the pills 15 minutes after or before eating. Better not to handle them either.

Common complaints and the remedies used to treat them.

This list is not intended to inform self-prescription, but to illustrate what a homoeopath can help you with.

• Engorgement, hot, hard breasts – Bryonia, Belladonna
• Cracked nipples – Causticum, Phytollaca, Sepia, Sulphur, Silica
• With bleeding – Silica
• And itching – Sepia, sulphur
• Inverted/retracted nipples - Silica
• Painful, sensitive breasts – Belladonna, Borax, Bryonia
• Pains on nursing – Phytollaca
• Pains after nursing – Borax
• Cutting/stitching pains - Silica
• Low supply – Calc carb, Causticum, Pulsatilla, Dulcamara
• Overproduction of milk – Belladonna, Bryonia, Calc carb, Pulsatilla
• Blocked ducts/mastitis – Pytollaca, Heper Sulph, Silica
• To dry up milk on weaning – Lac carb, Pulsatilla
• Calendula Cream or Hypercal Cream are soothing and healing for sore nipples.
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As you can see, there is more than one remedy for each complaint, and the getting the right one depends on the specific details, and on you. This is why it is a good idea to talk to a practitioner.

Resources

Miranda Castro, Mother and Baby, Macmillan, London, 1992

• birthandbreastfeeding.com/homeopathy – some basics explained
• naturalhealthanswers.co.uk/natbreast
• squidoo.com/nursingbaby
• Some FAQs and info on the safety of remedies
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With thanks and all the breast to SuperJo