Engorgement

What is causing my engorgement and what can I do to relieve the pain?

Engorgement makes the breasts feel very full, tight, heavy, hard and uncomfortable. 

Causes/Solutions:

1. Colostrum transitions to mature milk about 2-4 days after delivery. Baby’s frequent nursing has signaled your body to bring in a plentiful milk supply. Sometimes your body goes into overdrive and makes more than baby needs. There is also extra blood flow to the breast tissue causing swelling. 

• • Gently hand express to soften the nipple before latching. 
    • Some mothers use pumping to relieve engorgement during this time. A breast pump can come in handy if medically necessary. But pumping too much during these first weeks can damage delicate breast tissue, take time away from latching your baby to feed, and can tell your breasts to make more milk than needed. Though more milk sounds convenient, it can lead to clogged ducts, mastitis, and excessive leaking. If you decide to pump to relieve engorgement, only pump a few minutes and then try latching rather than fully draining the breast.
  • Breastfeed 8-12 times a day. 
    • Gentle finger massage around the breast can help to drain the breast while your baby is feeding.
  • Change nursing positions.
  • Use ice between feedings to decrease swelling. 
    • Avoid heat as this increases swelling.
  • Ask your doctor about taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen. 

By steadily feeding on demand during the first 2-4 weeks, your milk supply will regulate itself to provide the amount of milk your baby needs.

2. Missed Feedings

• • Avoid pacifiers (until breastfeeding is established), formula supplementation or anything that takes time away from breastfeeding. 
  • Wake baby to nurse in the early days, even at night.