Swollen Breasts During Nursing

You’ve just delivered your baby and are hyped up on happiness. Perhaps nursing seems to be going very well for you and your sweet baby, or perhaps you’ve had some challenges. Any time during the early weeks you may discover your breasts to be swollen and painful. This swelling is referred to as engorgement. Manage engorgement using these tips and make sure to see an IBCLC to ensure you avoid engorgement again.

Engorgement often happens between days 2 and 4 postpartum, but can happen at any time. If milk is not removed from your breasts often enough, or well enough, you may experience engorgement. Address your symptoms immediately in order to provide you relief and get nursing back to a blissful place. Contact Pure Milk Mom for added support during this time.

Tip #1 Compress! Breast compression is a useful trick to relieve your discomfort. Have your IBCLC teach you reversed pressure softening (RPS) or give Pure Milk Mom a call to go over the specifics.

Tip #2 Soak! Water can be your friend. Soak in the bath or run water in the shower and allow your excess breast milk to flow. Another option is a breast milk bath. Simply fill up a wide, large pan with lukewarm water and lean forward allowing the water to encompass your breasts.

Tip #3 Feed frequently! Feed your baby on demand-meaning whenever your baby shows signs of hunger, and make sure there is an adequate latch. If you’re unsure if your latch is okay, contact an IBCLC for an observation of a feed.

And please, if you notice any redness or flu-like symptoms call your IBCLC or provider.