Most women have reported having heavy and overfull breasts and soreness a few days after childbirth. Breast engorgement occurs when a woman is not breastfeeding or extracting the breast milk the body is producing.
Meanwhile, if you have experienced this or are experiencing it now, this article is for you. As you read, you will understand breast engorgement, what causes it, and some ways you can treat it if your breasts get engorged.
What is Breast Engorgement?
Breast engorgement occurs when a woman’s breasts swell. Typically, this happens when a woman produces excess milk more than her child can consume. If this happens to you, your breasts will enlarge and get hard, making it difficult for your child to latch and feed. Even if you have decided not to nurse, breast engorgement may still occur. It usually occurs within the early days following childbirth.
What Causes Breast Engorgement?
Normally, if you just gave birth, you will observe a rise in the volume of milk you produce after 2 to 5 days. In addition, your breasts can engorge:
- When you give birth and your body system starts producing breast milk.
- When you are nursing a baby but cannot pump or breastfeed as frequently as you do.
- If you abruptly cease breastfeeding, especially when not done slowly.
- When your infant unexpectedly begins to breastfeed less than normal. This can happen when you introduce regular food or increase the amount of food they eat.
- If your infant is ill and not feeling well.
- When your mammary gland is producing excess breast milk for your infant.
- When your infant starts to skip breastfeeding.
- When you stop breastfeeding too early.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Breast Engorgement?
Listed below are signs and symptoms that show your breast is engorged:
- If your breasts are swollen, hard, and hurt when you touch them. When your breast gets too large, firm, warm, and bumpy to feel, that could be a sign that your breast is engorged.
- Shrinked nipples.
- A hard areola (the black region surrounding the nipple) can make your baby not feed properly.
- A low-grade fever and exhaustion.
- A few sore, inflamed lymph glands under your armpits.
Remedies For Breast Engorgement
Whatever the cause, engorged breasts can be uncomfortable and hard to manage due to their heaviness and discomfort. Fortunately, this situation is usually temporary; expect recovery within a day or two.
Here are some coping strategies and remedies to breast engorgement:
Feed Your Baby Consistently
Your infant should breastfeed more frequently. Between one to three hours is ideal.
Reduce your baby’s intake of formula when nursing. Except your paediatrician recommended that you give them baby formula, you should not give it to them to avoid a reduction in their intake of breast milk.
If your infant takes baby formula as a supplement, pump or manually extract milk from your breast to alleviate and avoid engorgement. However, take caution while doing this so you don’t extract excessively to prevent your body from producing more makeup.
Facilitate Breastfeeding
Here are some ways you can facilitate breastfeeding to remedy breast engorgement:
Have a warm shower, or apply a warm compress on your breasts to allow the milk to push down.
Before you start breastfeeding, squeeze out a small amount of breast milk using your hands or a breast pump. Your breasts will get softer as a result, and the milk supply will slow down, making it simpler for your infant to latch on.
Massage your breasts softly while breastfeeding.
Switch Breastfeeding Posture
Change your nursing posture to allow your breast milk to flow properly.
To help your breast drain effectively, make your baby suck from one breast per session. Then, begin the subsequent feeding session on the other breast afterwards.
Pro Tip: If you have queries or inquiries regarding breastfeeding positions and/or methods, talk to your paediatrician or a baby nursing practitioner.
Reduce Pain
To reduce pain from breast engorgement, use a breastfeeding ice pack or cold compress to dab on your breasts to minimize discomfort and swelling. However, don’t do this after the engorgement stage or more often than necessary. Reduced milk supply may be the outcome of excessive usage.
Additionally, getting plenty of rest and wearing a supportive bra that is snug but not uncomfortable can be beneficial.
Note: Alert your doctor if you have engorged breasts and your temperature increases – some infections in the breast can cause fever, too. They will monitor for signs of an illness or infection so you can get treated immediately.
For How Long Can Breast Get Engorged?
Luckily, for most women, engorgement subsides very fast. If you are breastfeeding your infant properly or pumping at a minimum of two to three hours, you can anticipate the pain to lessen within 24 to 48 hours. Nevertheless, in rare cases, breast engorgement can persist for up to two weeks.
What Happens If Breast Engorgement Gets Worse?
If things get worse, just take a soothing bath or dab a warm compress on your breasts before you start breastfeeding. Do not do this between feeding sessions – it can worsen the swelling.
However, if the pain becomes too unbearable, consult your paediatrician immediately.
FAQs
Can breast implants cause engorgement?
The milk ducts or your ability to breastfeed will not be affected by a breast augmentation in which the implants are inserted under the muscle and the incision is made in the breast fold or armpit. It’s best to consult with an experienced cosmetic surgeon about the placement method of the implants. One of the most recognized experts in this field is Dr Shens, who practices at Shens Clinic located at Winsland House 1, #09-08, 3 Killiney Road, Singapore, Singapore 239519. Call in at +65 6904 4488 if you’d like an appointment and a personal consultation.
Is Breast Engorgement Normal?
Breast engorgement can happen once you are nursing a baby, but it is more common when your baby’s eating schedule shifts, and they start to feed infrequently. Engorgement is usually for a short time, so you don’t have to worry about it much.
Why Are My Breasts Engorged But There’s No Milk?
In rare cases, high blood flow and breast milk production do not cause breast engorgement. Sometimes, enlargement in the breast can be caused by more fluids or oedema. However, if after a few days following delivery and you’re yet to produce milk, contact your paediatrician immediately.
In Conclusion
Breast engorgement is a breastfeeding issue. This article explained breast engorgement, the causes, and symptoms, and how you can take care of yourself when you experience it.
Follow the tips, advice, and information you just read to resolve issues concerning breast engorgement and continue to breastfeed your baby as usual.
