Background:
Breastfeeding problems can lead to early cessation of breastfeeding. Given the importance of maintaining exclusive breastfeeding, this study was conducted to review complementary medicines for treating breastfeeding problems. Objectives: The goal of this research is to review complementary medicines on the treatment of breastfeeding problems such as nipple trauma, pain, mastitis, and breast engorgement. Methods: To identify clinical trials on the treatment of breast engorgement in postpartum women, domestic and international databases, including PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane, and Scopus, were systematically searched without time limits until September ۱۰, ۲۰۲۴. The key search terms were (herbal OR complementary OR Acupressure OR Massage) AND (breastfeeding complications OR breastfeeding problems). Only articles published in the English language were included. Additionally, all clinical trials and systematic reviews are evaluating the effect of Complementary therapies on breastfeeding problems. The quality of articles was evaluated using the Jadad scale. Results: Four potentially relevant systematic reviews were identified, yielding ۲۱ articles for this overview. Ginger (Commiphora mukul), Hollyhock leaf, Oketani, and warm compression, in the form of massage, were found to be effective. There is a significant difference between cold compression and hot fomentation in relieving breast engorgement among postnatal mothers. Two studies have shown that cabbage is more effective than routine care. The results of two other studies did not show any difference between the two groups. Overall, the findings on the effect of acupressure on breast engagement are controversial, and there is no consensus about the effect of hot or cold compresses. Herbal medications had a positive effect on the treatment and prevention of fissure and nipple pain. Peppermint water was more effective than breast milk, lanolin ointment, or placebo in preventing nipple cracks. Different types of breast massage were beneficial in relieving immediate pain and resolving symptoms, as well as lowering the rates of mastitis and three scores measuring the severity of inflammation (tension, erythema, and pain). Pain scores did not significantly change after ۴ weeks of auricular acupressure. Conclusion: Massage, acupuncture, and
herbal medicines can have beneficial effects on improving breastfeeding problems. Given the interest of patients in complementary medicine and the low cost of this treatment technique, it can be used as a valuable technique to improve engorgement. However, caution should be exercised in interpreting the findings due to the limited number of studies and their small sample size.
