Engorged Breasts after delivery
By: Sandra ThomasTotal Views: 921, Word Count: 570,
In the first few weeks after delivery the colostrums milk starts changing to mature milk and thus your breasts will seem fuller. This post delivery fullness of breasts is a normal phenomenon and it diminishes within 3-5 days. If your baby is not removing sufficient milk from your breast then your breast can become engorged. Engorgement can cause your breast to be painful and hard. Engorgement of breasts occurs is partly due to swollen lymph nodes and extra blood flowing in and not only because of accumulated milk. Engorgement of the breasts can also lead to swollen areola which is the dark area around the nipple, and can cause flattened nipples making it hard for the baby to latch-on, thus, causing sore nipples.
Preventing engorgement of breasts
You can prevent engorgement of breasts by following these simple tips:
- Ensure that you breastfeed your baby regularly about 8-12 times in 24 hours.
- Avoid formula milks in the first few weeks unless it was recommended by your doctor.
- Express your milk if you ever miss any feedings.
- You must wean the baby gradually.
Treating engorged breasts
There are many ways to treat engorged breasts. Here is a list of ways to treat engorgement of breasts:
- Apply hot and moist towels to your breasts for a few minutes and then hand-express the milk, this will help soften the areola. Once the areola is soft, the baby can easily latch-on to your breast.
- Take a hot shower before you breastfeed the baby.
- A gentle massage on the breast will help soften the areola.
- If your breasts are swollen and painful, apply a cold compress, this will give you some relief.
- Make sure you feed your baby both sides of your breasts.
- You can use a breast pump if your breasts seem full or if your baby drinks from only one side. Sometimes you will need to keep pumping because your baby hasn’t learnt to latch-on correctly, continue to pump till your baby doesn’t learn to latch well.
- Avoid using bottles or soothers as this can create nipple confusion in your baby.
- Make sure you wear a proper fitting bra because a comfortable bra can ease the discomfort caused by engorgement.
- Contact your health care provider if you are facing too much trouble with breastfeeding and engorgement.
Once you have stopped breastfeeding, your breast will stop producing milk quite soon, and this may lead to engorged breasts. You can ease the discomfort by using the following tips.
- Express the milk either manually or with a pump.
- Use a hot compress on your breasts to get relief.
- Massage your breasts from under the nipple.
If you are suffering from severe engorgement then using a heat compress will only aggravate the problem. Use a cold compress or take bath in cool water as you express the milk from your breasts. , Some women use a hot and cold compress alternatively to get relief from symptoms.
About the Author
Sandra Thomas is a practicing gynecologist based in Denmark. She has been contributing to the field of Women Health and Maternity issues since ten years.
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