Breast engorgement means your breasts are painfully overfull of milk. This can occur if they are not being drained well during feeding or pumping. It can also occur if the breasts have been over stimulated to produce excess milk.
Engorged breasts can often be treated at home with some simple remedies to recalibrate milk production. See below for more details.
EXAMINE – During feeding examine your breasts for lumps and if found massage behind and on the lump to stimulate milk flow through that area. This needs to be done while baby is feeding or you are expressing, so that the milk can flow out and doesn’t create further blockages.
EXPOSURE – Try having both breasts bare during feeding to allow the second breast to drip for comfort. This will allow milk to be released without stimulation so the body won’t think it needs to replace it. Using a Silicon Haakaa on the alternate breast during feeding can also catch let down, making you feel more comfortable when baby only takes one side.
COLD COMPRESS – Putting wet face washers in the freezer and placing them on the breasts or frozen nappies just after a feed is soothing and will reduce swelling.
CABBAGE – Placing washed, trimmed cabbage leaves that have been chilled in the fridge in a supportive bra, can also help. This should not be continued once the swelling has gone down as it can reduce your milk supply. (NOT used very often any more).
EXPRESS – Sometimes it is difficult to attach a baby to very full breasts so you may need to express a little milk prior to feeding. Just enough to soften the areola and then attach baby straight away. Expressing for comfort is not always recommended, as this can prolong engorgement as you create extra stimulation.
HANDS OFF – Avoid touching your breasts in between feeds or having hot showers running over your chest. These are both stimulants to make more milk. Always think- “Supply and Demand” the body doesn’t know the difference between baby feeding, maternal touching, expressing, warmth etc. It only knows to produce when stimulated.
MEDICATE – It will often help to take Paracetamol 4-6 hourly to reduce your temperature. Make sure you do not exceed 4 gms of Paracetamol in 24 hours. (DO NOT take if you are allergic).
DOCTOR – If you are having symptoms of Mastitis e.g high temperatures, red flushed breasts, flu like symptoms, aches and pains in your body-please seek advice from your GP or LC.
It is often worth seeking help if this is very painful or reoccurring. We would be happy to hear from you and conduct a face to face appointment, video-link or phone consultation.
Written by: Endorsed Midwife Alison Gregory Certified Lactation Consultant (LC).
Photo by Hollie Santos on Unsplash