Painful Breasts - Oy Vey! Can be caused by blocked milk tubes/duct and will lead to swelling and acute pain. Mastitis is an infection and usually has symptoms of fever, redness, and acute tenderness. The infected breast becomes hard, lumpy and swollen. An oversupply of milk will also cause engorgement.
What is a poultice? Take a handful of herbs in a clean cotton diaper and tie with a rubber band, steep in simmering water for 10-15 minutes then apply the compress the breast with the hot, wet bundle.

Poultice/compresses and soaks are best general first aid. Hot Water is your friend! It stimulates circulation and eases the tension. Herbs are the superheroes - they increase the effectiveness (try hot compress of fresh or dried Parsley, OR of fresh or dried Comfrey Leaves). You want to apply frequently (4-5 times daily) and short periods 3-5 minutes. Be persistant and consistent for best results!
If there is infection - throw away the poulticing materials. If there isn't infections, you can reuse the brews and towels.
Soak Breasts in slippery and slimy Marshmallow root (draws out infections, soothes tissues, opens clogged ducts, helps inflamed breasts and sore nipples). Make an infusion of dried root bys teeping 2 oz in 1/2 gallon boiling water and leave overnight. Reheat infusion to near boiling then pour into sink/basin and soak until infusion cools.
A cold poulitce of grated raw potato draws out heat from inflammation/infection and unblocks tubes - grate raw potato and apply directly to breast covering with a clean cltoh. Remove or replace when dry.
If you've got blocked tubes/duct you want to continue nursing on breast. Go carefully and continue to nurse/pump every hour just enough to empty breast.
Before nursing, use any of the above warm comresses for 5-10 min.
GET PLENTY OF REST! BLOCKAGE WILL CLEAR - usually in a few hours or overnight.
Mastitis is often a sign of too little rest - take naps, relax, don't worry the breast infection won't make your infant sick - nuse as often and as long as possible on infected breast.
Other herbs to consider during Mastitis - echinacea (1/2 drop per pound of body weight as single dose up to 6 times a day until fever subsides. Then continue 2-3 times a day for 7 days until symptoms clear.* consult health practioner*