Breastfeeding Help: Engorgement

One of the most common complaints that new breastfeeding mothers have is engorgement. Many new moms experience engorgement a few days after giving birth, when their milk comes in for the first time. While the pain is temporary and should only last for a few days, there are some things you can do to speed relief from engorgement pain.

Apply cold compresses

Part of the pain from engorgement stems from inflammation of tender breast tissue. Cold compresses can help soothe this inflammation and relieve the pain of engorgement.

Apply cold cabbage leaves

If you do this, be very careful not to leave them on too long. Cabbage leaves can relieve engorgement wonderfully, but if used improperly they can also cause a drastic drop in supply. Wash cabbage leaves, and apply to breasts between feedings. You should not use this method for more than 20 minutes at a time, three times per day. Stop using the cabbage leaves as soon as the engorgement is relieved.

Take a warm shower

Moist heat can stimulate letdown, which will relieve the pressure of engorgement. Stand in the shower with the water hitting your back rather than your breasts. Don't overuse heat, though - too much heat can make inflammation worse.

Hand express or pump

If you find that your breasts feel engorged between feedings, you can hand express or pump to let off some pressure. However, be sure to only express enough milk to relieve some pain; do not empty your breasts. Expressing too much will make your body think that the baby is consuming that milk, and your breasts will compensate by making even more milk, which will make engorgement worse. Express just enough to make yourself comfortable.

Gentle massage

Many breastfeeding mothers find relief from engorgement pain by gently massaging the breasts. Massage from the chest wall out toward your nipple. Be careful not to apply too much pressure, or you could bruise the tender breast tissue and make the pain even worse. You can also gently massage your breasts while nursing to stimulate milk flow and help prevent a clogged milk duct.

Take a pain reliever

If your doctor says it's all right, you may find some relief from engorgement by taking a gentle pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen. But be sure to talk to your doctor first so that she can inform you of any risk factors that might make these pain relievers unsafe for you or your baby.

Wear a well-fitting, supportive bra

Engorged breasts are even more uncomfortable when they are not supported. The added weight can be unbearable. A well-fitting bra with good support will do wonders to help relieve engorgement discomfort. Don't wear a too-tight bra, however - this can make engorgement pain worse, as well as damaging sensitive breast tissue.

Nurse on demand

Watching the clock and forcing your baby to stick to a rigid feeding schedule is a fast track to engorgement, and later a drop in supply. Especially in the first days and weeks, it is important to let your baby nurse when he needs to instead of putting him on a schedule. This will help your body to regulate your supply, preventing both engorgement and low supply.

Rest assured that engorgement pain is a temporary setback, and most moms go through it at one point or another. You will get through this. For more information on engorgement, talk to a lactation consultant, or refer to the links at the end of this article.

**This is one of a series of articles about common breastfeeding problems. To see the rest of the series and other articles by this writer, please click on the picture of the baby's bottom, at the top of the article beside the author's name. **