Pump to relieve engorgement

Breast Engorgement: Symptoms and Relief

Here’s yet another thing you perhaps weren’t prepared for post-childbirth: huge, heavy, hard breasts that are tender to the touch and feel like they’re about to explode. So what’s the deal? You’re likely experiencing breast engorgement. While plenty of breastfeeding women experience engorged breasts, if left untreated it can lead to issues like cracked nipples, clogged milk ducts and mastitis—not fun. Read on to learn how to tell if your breasts are engorged and how to find fast relief.

In this article:
What is breast engorgement
Breast engorgement symptoms
How to relieve engorged breasts
How to prevent breast engorgement

What Is Breast Engorgement?

Breast engorgement is when your breasts overfill with milk, and as a result become swollen, hard and painful. Here’s how it works: Lobules in your breast create and store milk so when baby is hungry, your body has a ready-to-go supply (plus whatever it needs to make more milk on demand). If your breasts aren’t fully or frequently emptied, milk can collect in the lobules, causing your breasts to swell or become firm.

Engorgement typically takes place a few days after birth, when your breasts switch from producing colostrum to mature milk, explains Stephanie Heintzeler, a doula and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) at The New York Doula “Usually within two days the breast will become softer again and full only right before a feed.”

While engorged breasts may be uncomfortable, they can be a sign your body is working properly. “Many mothers think engorgement is an infection, but luckily that’s rarely the case,” Heintzeler says. “As long as there’s no fever involved and the breast gets emptied regularly, it’s a normal process that should subside within a couple days.”

You can also experience breast engorgement if there’s a buildup of other fluids, not just milk. “Engorgement can happen when lymphatic fluid is trying to leave the breast through the area around your armpit at the same time that your body is trying to make milk to leave through the nipple,” explains Victoria Facelli, IBCLC, a lactation consultant at Emerald Doulas in Durham, North Carolina. “One fluid is trying to go one way and the other is going the opposite way, leading to a traffic jam.”

What causes breast engorgement?

While breast engorgement can develop at any point while lactating, it’s especially common when your milk first comes in, usually two to six days after baby is born. After all, blood and fluid is rushing to your breasts to prepare them for making milk, not to mention the increase in milk itself. Plus, your body is still figuring out how much milk baby needs and may produce more than necessary. Some women may notice a little fullness during this time, while for others the engorgement can be more significant.

Another possible cause of early breast engorgement: Dehydration and IV fluids that were administered during delivery can lead to fluid retention, Facelli says, making it harder for the lymphatic system to work efficiently.

As baby gets older, other possible causes come into play. “If the breasts are getting engorged once breastfeeding has been established, it’s usually because the breast hasn’t been emptied for four or more hours or due to stress or lack of sleep,” Heintzeler says. You may also experience breast engorgement if your child has trouble breastfeeding or suddenly nurses less, either due to illness or the introduction of solid foods; or if you abruptly stop breastfeeding.

Breast Engorgement Symptoms

Breast engorgement is one of those “you’ll know it when you feel it” phenomenon, but there are some telltale signs to look out for. Common breast engorgement symptoms include:

• Swollen, tender breasts. It’s normal for your breasts to grow a few cup sizes post-delivery, but if they seem larger than normal, or don’t return to your “new normal” size after feeding or pumping, you may be engorged.

• Hard breasts. If your breasts are firm and feel like they might eject milk at the lightest touch (or without being touched at all), breast engorgement may be the culprit.

• Flattened nipples. A buildup of milk in the breast can cause the nipples to flatten out and the areola to become hard, making it difficult for baby to latch properly.

• A red or hot area on your breast. This spot may feel like a bruise. “If you see this, it may be a sign of infection, and it’s important to loop in your ob-gyn ASAP,” Facelli says.

How long does breast engorgement last?

You should feel relief as soon as your breasts are emptied of milk. During those first few days while experiencing engorgement post-birth, your breasts should feel more comfortable immediately after a feeding, and the swelling should subside within a couple days. If you’re feeling engorged once breastfeeding has been established, “lots of breastfeeding and resting in bed usually resolves engorgement within 24 hours,” Heintzeler says. Trying a few different relief options—with feeding baby being the first line of defense—can help your body feel better.

How to Relieve Engorged Breasts

You may think pumping will relieve breast engorgement, and it will—in the short term. But in the long term, pumping only encourages your body to produce more milk, exacerbating the issue. “During the first few days, your body is figuring out how much milk is needed for baby,” Heintzeler says. “If you pump, then you’re telling your body to make more milk.” That’s not ideal if all you want to do is relieve pressure.

Instead, put baby to the breast as often as possible. She should nurse until your breast feels empty; if it doesn’t, it could mean she’s not transferring milk effectively. Flag the concern with your pediatrician or a lactation consultant who can check baby’s latch.

Here, some easy at-home tactics for how to relieve engorged breasts:

• Wake baby to feed. “If you’re feeling uncomfortable, breastfeed as often as every hour or two, and don’t be afraid to wake baby to eat—or to put him to the breast when he’s drowsy or in a light sleep,” says Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA, a lactation consultant and coauthor of The Breastfeeding Answer Book.

• Apply a warm, moist compress. Warming your breasts right before a feeding can help soften your breasts and encourage letdown. But apply the compress for just a few minutes—using heat for too long can increase swelling and inflammation.

• Massage your breasts. Gently massaging your breasts can bring down the swelling and help it drain, Facelli says. Using the pads of your fingertips, circle your breasts toward the nipple and push in toward the wall of your chest.

• Use a cold compress. If you’re still feeling uncomfortable after a nursing session, try an ice compress on your breasts in between feedings to reduce inflammation, Facelli says. Placing cold, clean cabbage leaves on your breasts can also help minimize engorgement. Note, though, that studies have found that cabbage leaves may be less effective than hot or cold compresses. Some say the overuse of cabbage leaves can lead to a diminished milk supply, so discontinue after the swelling goes down.

• Pop a painkiller. Tylenol or ibuprofen can relieve the pain associated with breast engorgement, but check with your doctor before taking any medication, Mohrbacher says.

• Hand-express milk. Heintzeler recommends using your hands or a manual pump to express a bit of milk—this process is more gentle than using an electric pump, and can soften your breasts just enough for baby to latch on with ease. A lactation consultant can show you how to hand-express, or you can follow this guide.

How to Prevent Breast Engorgement

There’s no getting around at least some mild engorgement as your milk comes in post-birth, but don’t panic: It’s a sign your body is working as it should be. That said, these tips can help prevent breast engorgement from occuring later on in your nursing journey.

• Nurse early and often. Breastfeeding baby as soon as possible after birth, and then at least every two to three hours after that, will help keep your breasts from overfilling.

• Don’t limit baby’s time at the breast. Resist the urge to get your newborn on a breastfeeding schedule: Feed baby on cue, whenever she’s hungry. Let her fully empty the first breast before switching her to the other.

• Make sure baby has a good latch. If baby isn’t able to effectively empty your breast, it can lead to a buildup of milk. Speaking with a lactation consultant—even while you’re still in the hospital after giving birth—can help you determine whether baby has a good latch and troubleshoot any breastfeeding problems from the start.

• Have a plan if you’re away from baby. If you’re separated from baby for more than a few hours, you may find yourself dealing with engorged breasts. Even if you’ve already pumped milk for baby to eat while you’re gone, make sure to pump while you’re away to relieve engorgement and keep your body on the same schedule it’s used to with baby. A handheld pump can be easier and less bulky to carry, and can come in handy if you’re in a place without a place to pump.

• Skip the electric pump. Sometimes, a very engorged breast can make it hard for your infant to latch. If that’s the case, hand express some milk, or use a handheld pump, only until the feeling of extreme fullness has passed. If you can, wait a few weeks before you try using˜ an electric pump, which can help ensure your supply is regulated.

• Drink plenty of water. Water keep the lymphatic system working as efficiently as possible, helping to minimize the “traffic jams” that can occur in your breasts during engorgement.

Updated January 2018

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

Plus, more from The Bump:

Top 10 Breastfeeding Problems Solved

31 Breastfeeding Tips Every Nursing Mom Should Know

How to Eat a Healthy Breastfeeding Diet

Engorged Breasts - avoiding and treating

You are here: Home / Breastfeeding information / Engorged Breasts – avoiding and treating

Engorged breasts are painful. They feel heavy, hard, warm and sensitive —as if they are ready to burst!  As well as being painful, engorgement can lead to other breastfeeding problems if not treated. Being able to recognise engorgement will help you to treat it promptly, avoiding complications.

Most mothers experience some engorgement in the first weeks after birth. With changing hormone levels, your breasts swell and enlarge as milk production increases. It may seem as though they are filling up with milk, but engorgement is more than milk storage. Your body directs extra blood and fluids to your breasts to boost milk production. This causes congestion and swelling which will decrease as your body adjusts.

Minimizing early engorgement
Treat engorgement to…
When to treat engorgement
After the first few weeks
Causes of engorgement
Treating engorgment
Be sure your baby is sucking effectively
Reverse pressure softening
Keep comfortable
Watch out for signs of mastitis

Minimizing early engorgement

New mothers vary in how engorged their breasts become in the weeks after birth; some experience little engorgement, others describe their breasts as feeling like watermelons!

Try these suggestions

• Breastfeed your baby frequently from birth: at least 8–12 times in 24 hours.  Keeping your baby close makes it easier to nurse every hour or two.
• If your baby is sleepy, perhaps from a medicated birth, you may need to wake him and encourage him to nurse.
• Aim to be comfortable while  breastfeeding, and learn how to get your baby latched on well.
• If your newborn is unable to breastfeed, hand express frequently until your milk ‘comes in’, then combine with using a hospital-grade electric breastpump to help establish your milk production and relieve engorgement. Your milk can be given to your baby until he is able to nurse.

Treat engorgement to…

Make breastfeeding easier
Even if you feel as though you have lots of milk, engorgement can make it harder for your baby to latch on to your breast and feed well. A poor latch-on can give you sore nipples. Your baby may also have trouble coping with the flow of milk from engorged breasts.

Protect milk production
When milk isn’t removed from your breasts, you will produce less milk.  Treating engorgement gives your baby more milk now and helps protect milk production for when your baby is older.

Avoid blocked ducts or mastitis
Engorgement can result in blocked ducts leading to mastitis.

When to treat

Take action to relieve engorgement if your breasts feel firm, hard, shiny or lumpy. When milk is removed, blood circulation improves and swelling reduces. Use the suggestions below to reduce swelling and keep your milk flowing. Many mothers have a slight temperature when their breasts are engorged. Temperatures under 38.4ºC are not usually associated with infection. Keep your baby close and continue breastfeeding.

Engorgement after the first weeks

Treat as outlined below while working out the cause so you can prevent it happening again.

Common causes of engorgement are:

• A missed feed or expressing session.
  This can easily happen during holidays and festivities or when visitors arrive. Encourage your baby to feed more often, or express more frequently if you’re apart from your baby.
• Feeding a baby on a schedule
  Recent research has revealed that mothers vary in how much milk their breasts can store without becoming uncomfortable. Mothers following routines often suffer from engorgement, mastitis and low milk production because their breasts are not drained often enough.
• Expressing milk.
  Some books advise expressing to keep milk production one step ahead of a baby’s needs. However, making more milk than your baby needs can increase your risk of engorgement and mastitis, especially if you go for several hours without feeding or expressing.
• A baby who is unable or unwilling to nurse well for any reason
  Expressing milk frequently until your baby can nurse well will help you maintain milk production and avoid blocked ducts or mastitis.
• Weaning from the breast too quickly
  If you experience engorgement during weaning, you may need to slow down the process. This will give your breasts time to adjust to the reduced demand for milk. If breastfeeding more often is not an option, try expressing just enough milk to relieve the fullness by hand or pump.

Treating engorgement

Reduce swelling and keep milk flowing:

• Aim to breastfeed every 1½ to 2 hours during the day, and at night every 2–3 hours from the start of one feed to the start of the next. Let your baby finish on the first breast before switching to the second
• Avoid using bottles or dummies. If a supplement is needed try using a spoon, flexible feeding cup or syringe.
• Between feeds, apply ice for 15–20 minutes at a time between feeds to reduce swelling. Use an ice pack, crushed ice in plastic bags or bags of frozen vegetables (that can be refrozen several times before being thrown away). Wrap them in a lightweight towel to protect your skin.
• Just before feeding, apply moist warmth to your breasts for up to two minutes to help milk flow. Try a warm wet towel, warm shower or immersing breasts in a bowl of warm water.  Then, express to comfort if your baby isn’t ready to feed.
• Use gentle massage from the chest wall toward thenipple area in a circular motion.

Be sure your baby is sucking effectively:

Position your baby with his chest and tummy in full contact with your body. With his cheek in close contact with your breast, your baby can easily tip back his head to latch on. This way he’ll take a large mouthful of breast. Listen for swallowing as he feeds.

If your baby is finding it hard to latch on – when your baby bobs his head and licks the nipple, he naturally makes it easier to latch on.

For more information on getting your baby positioned and attached comfortably see here.

Reverse pressure softening

works by moving fluid away from the nipple area.

• Press all five fingertips of one hand around the base of the nipple. Apply gentle steady pressure for about a minute to leave a ring of small dimples on the areola.
• You can also press with the sides of fingers. Place your thumb on one side of the nipple and two fingers on the other side where your baby’s lips will be.
• If this isn’t enough, gently hand express a little milk before feeding to soften the areola. If you choose to use a breastpump, set it to minimum suction.

Keep comfortable:

• Ask your midwife or GP to recommend an over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory medication suitable for breastfeeding mothers to relieve pain and swelling.
• A well-fitting, supportive bra may help. Avoid bras (and underwires) that are tight or put pressure on specific areas of the breast.
• Cold, raw cabbage leaves worn inside a bra can be soothing.  Change when they become wilted or after about 2 hours. Use only until swelling goes down as long-term use may reduce milk supply. Stop use if a skin rash or other signs of allergy appear.

Watch out for symptoms of mastitis:

• Inflamed, hot, red or darkened localised areas of your breast, depending on your skin tone. Changes in breast appearance may be harder to spot in darker skin. You may still have engorged breasts without a noticeable red or darkened area.
• Temperature over 38.4ºC or flu-like symptoms.
• Weaning can make a breast infection worse so continue to breastfeed frequently especially on the affected side and treat as for engorgement. Rest and drink fluids. If fever persists, continue breastfeeding and check with your GP as you may need antibiotics. More information on mastitis.

Engorgement should improve within a day or two. If not, contact an LLL Leader for further suggestions. You may need to improve your baby’s breastfeeding technique or find ways to reduce your milk supply. These are not difficult problems to solve, especially if treated promptly.

Written by Karen Butler, Sue Upstone & mothers of La Leche League Great Britain

Further Reading

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. LLLI. London: Pinter & Martin, 2010.

Beginning Breastfeeding
Comfortable Breastfeeding
Dummies and Breastfeeding
Hand Expression of Breastmilk
Mastitis
My Baby Won’t Breastfeed
Nipple Pain – why and what to do
Positioning and Attachment
Sleepy Baby – why and what to do

This information is available to buy in printed format from our shop

Copyright LLLGB 2016

Filed Under: Breastfeeding information, Common Concerns Tagged With: blocked ducts, engorgement, express, expressing, lumps, mastitis, milk, newborn / beginning breastfeeding, red, reverse pressure softening, swollen

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Description Fucoli Somepal (Portugal) Fucoli Somepal

Description Check valve designed to prevent back flow.

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• Compact design, requires little space for valve assembly

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OVERALL DIMENSIONS, mm
DN	CODE		D		C	L	H	Connection flange dimensions		WEIGHT, kg
	PN10	PN16	PN10	PN16				PN10	PN16	PN10	PN16
50	10752010	10752010	165	165	110	200	108	125ø - 4 x 19ø	125ø - 4 x 19ø	9. 0	9.0
60	10752020	10752020	175	175	123	240	119	135ø - 4 x 19ø	135ø - 4 x 19ø	10.8	10.8
65	10752030	10752030	185	185	123	240	119	145ø - 4 x 19ø	145ø - 4 x 19ø	11.6	11.6
80	10752040	10752040	200	200	140	260	137	160ø - 8 x 19ø	160ø - 8 x 19ø	14. 5	14.5
100	10752050	10752050	220	220	168	300	157	180ø - 8 x 19ø	180ø - 8 x 19ø	20.7	20.7
125	10752060	10752060	250	250	215	350	185	210ø - 8 x 19ø	210ø - 8 x 19ø	32.0	32.0
150	10752070	10752070	285	285	242	400	210	240ø - 8 x 23ø	240ø - 8 x 23ø	41. 0	41.0
200	10752080	10752085	340	340	295	500	242	295ø - 8 x 23ø	295ø - 12 x 23ø	60.1	60.1
250	10752090	10752095	400	400	377	600	296	350ø - 12 x 23ø	355ø - 12 x 28ø	93.3	93.3
300	10752100	10752105	455	455	427	700	325	400ø - 12 x 23ø	410ø - 12 x 28ø	135. 2	135.2
350	10752110	10752115	505	520	480	800	400	460ø - 16 x 23ø	470ø - 16 x 28ø	143.7	150.2
400	10752120	10752125	565	580	531	900	435	515ø - 16 x 28ø	525ø - 16 x 31ø	267.2	276.2
450	10752130	10752135	615	640	585	1000	460	565ø - 20 x 28ø	585ø - 20 x 31ø	377. 0	392.0
500	10752140	10752145	670	715	640	1100	485	620ø - 20 x 28ø	650ø - 20 x 34ø	404.0	429.0
600	10752150	10752155	780	840	750	1300	585	725ø - 20 x 31ø	770ø - 20 x 37ø	602.0	652.0

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