Breast engorgement is breast swelling that results in painful, tender breasts. It’s caused by an increase in blood flow and milk supply in your breasts, and it occurs in the first days after childbirth. Show If you’ve decided not to breastfeed, you may still experience breast engorgement. It can happen in the first few days after delivery. Your body will make milk, but if you don’t express it or nurse, the milk production will eventually stop. Breast engorgement is the result of increased blood flow in your breasts in the days after the delivery of a baby. The increased blood flow helps your breasts make ample milk, but it can also cause pain and discomfort. Milk production may not occur until three to five days postpartum. Engorgement may occur for the first time in the first week or two after delivery. It can also reoccur at any point if you continue to breastfeed. Not producing enough milk? Here are 5 tips to increase breast milk production. Certain conditions or events may make you more likely to experience the swollen fullness that’s commonly associated with breast engorgement. These causes include:
The symptoms of breast engorgement will be different for each person. However, breasts that are engorged may feel:
The swelling may be contained to one breast, or it may occur in both. Swelling can also extend up the breast and into the nearby armpit. The veins running under the breast’s skin may become more noticeable. This is a result of the increased blood flow, as well as the tightness of the skin over the veins. Some with breast engorgement may experience a low-grade fever and fatigue in the first days of milk production. This is sometimes called a “milk fever.” You can continue to nurse if you have this fever. However, it’s a good idea to alert your doctor to your increased temperature. That’s because some infections in the breast can cause fever, too, and these infections need to be treated before they become bigger issues. Mastitis, for example, is an infection that causes inflammation of the breast tissue. It’s most commonly caused by milk trapped in the breast. Untreated mastitis can lead to complications such as a collection of pus in the clogged milk ducts. Report your fever and any other symptoms you’ve recently experience to your doctor. They will want you to monitor for signs of an illness or infection so you can seek immediate treatment. The treatments for breast engorgement will depend on whether you’re breastfeeding or not. For those who are breastfeeding, treatments for breast engorgement include:
For those who don’t breastfeed, painful engorgement typically lasts about one day. After that period, your breasts may still feel full and heavy, but the discomfort and pain should subside. You can wait out this period, or you can use one of the following treatments:
You can’t prevent breast engorgement in the first days after giving birth. Until your body knows how to regulate your milk production, you may overproduce. However, you can prevent later episodes of breast engorgement with these tips and techniques:
If you don’t breastfeed, you can wait out breast milk production. In a matter of days, your body will understand it doesn’t need to produce milk and the supply will dry up. This will stop the engorgement. Don’t be tempted to express or pump milk. You’ll signal to your body that it needs to produce milk, and you may prolong discomfort. Breast engorgement is swelling and inflammation that occurs in your breasts because of increased blood flow and milk supply. In the days and weeks after giving birth, your body will begin to produce milk. Until your body knows how much you need, it may produce too much. This can lead to breast engorgement. Symptoms include hard, tight breasts that are swollen and tender. Regular nursing or pumping can help prevent breast engorgement. If you continue to experience the painful swelling of breast engorgement, reach out to a lactation consultant or a lactation support group at your local hospital. Both of these resources can help you with your questions and provide support. Also, call your doctor if the engorgement doesn’t subside in three to four days or if you develop a fever. They’ll ask you to monitor for other signs that may indicate a more serious problem, such as a breast infection. How do you relieve engorged breasts when not breastfeeding?How can you care for yourself at home?. Don't pump or remove milk from your breasts by hand.. Wear a bra that fits well and provides good support. ... . Apply a cold pack to your breasts for 15 minutes at a time every hour as needed. ... . Take ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin) to reduce pain and swelling.. How do you treat engorged breasts at home?How can I treat it?. using a warm compress, or taking a warm shower to encourage milk let down.. feeding more regularly, or at least every one to three hours.. nursing for as long as the baby is hungry.. massaging your breasts while nursing.. applying a cold compress or ice pack to relieve pain and swelling.. How long does engorgement last if you're not breastfeeding?If you're not breastfeeding, breast engorgement may likely go away by itself in 7 to 10 days as milk production ceases. In the meantime, you can apply ice packs for the swelling or take pain medication to help with the symptoms.
How can I get immediate relief from engorgement?Treatment for Engorgement Relief
Apply warm, wet compresses and gently massage breasts 10 minutes before feeding to help with milk flow. If baby is having trouble latching, express a little milk by hand or by pumping on a low setting, until the areola has softened enough for him or her to latch easier.
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