How to relieve engorgement is a common concern for breastfeeding mommas who are facing pain and discomfort from overly full breasts. Breast engorgement is one of the most challenging parts of breastfeeding, but understanding effective relief strategies can make a big difference.
What do Engorged Breasts feel like?
Engorged breasts can feel heavy and tight, often accompanied by discomfort or tenderness. The breast may also look swollen, shiny, and a bit more stretched. The cause of engorgement is usually an increase in milk supply during breastfeeding or a change in hormones. Therefore, it is essential to treat engorgement for comfort and to avoid further complications.
How to Relieve Breast Engorgement: Tips and Tricks
Breast engorgement is one of breastfeeding mom’s problems. It is characterized by swollen and painful breasts due to excess milk. Despite the discomfort, there are effective ways to alleviate the pain and discomfort and impose balance.
Here are a few effective tips and tricks to relieve breast engorgement:
- Frequent Nursing- Nurse the baby as frequently as possible to reduce the fullness and stimulate milk flow.
- Pumping -If the baby isn’t nursing well, using a wearable breast pump can help ease the tension by collecting excess milk from the breast.
- Warm Compress- You can apply a warm compress to your breast before feeding or pumping to help soften the breasts and encourage milk flow.
- Cold Compress - After nursing, use an ice pack or cold compress to ease edema and pain.
- Massage the Breasts - Slowly massaging the breast when nursing or expressing it helps in the flow of milk.
- Changing Nursing Positions- Try different nursing positions to make sure the baby is latching effectively.
- Staying Hydrated - To enhance lactation and avoid dehydration, making sure you drink plenty of water helps. Water and food is a great source of energy during breastfeeding.
- Wearing Comfortable Clothes- When nursing, you must avoid wearing tight clothes and bras. Any tight clothing might delay milk flow.
- Relaxation Exercises - Stress can make engorgement worse, so it is best to be relaxed. Try breathing or other relaxation methods and exercises that will make you feel relaxed.
What not to do in Breast Engorgement Treatment
If you are experiencing breast engorgement, it is important to avoid certain activities that may worsen the pain.
- Skipping Nursing Sessions- Avoid long gaps in feeding since this can cause more engorgement.
- Using Tight Bras - Do not wear bras that are tight on the breasts because this can cause discomfort and hinder milk from letting down.
- Ignoring Pain - Do not set aside your pain, especially when it becomes unbearable. Call a professional if the pain and discomfort is unmanageable.
- Over Pumping - Excessive pumping can lead to an oversupply of milk and cause engorgement.
- Using Hot Water for Shower - Though a warm compress helps ease pain and swelling, very hot water can trigger swelling. Bathing in lukewarm water is recommended.
- Delayed Treatment- Delaying your treatment for engorgement isn’t advisable. Prompt action is key to relief.
Tips for Preventing Breast Engorgement
While breast engorgement is inevitable during the breastfeeding journey, there are a few tips that can help prevent engorgement from happening often:
Breastfeed regularly: It is important to nurse your baby at least 8 to 12 times a day during its first few months of life to establish and regulate the supply of milk. Create a consistent feeding or pumping schedule whenever possible.
Check baby’s latch: How the baby's latch affects the amount of milk being removed from your breasts. Try ways to help the baby latch correctly to prevent breast engorgement.
Don’t limit baby’s time breastfeeding: Babies typically nurse for 15-20 minutes per breast. Follow the baby’s lead and let your baby nurse until they are full from feeding both breasts. Alternate each breast when feeding so your body knows how much supply it needs to feed your little one.
Give yourself a good massage: Gently massaging your breasts while nursing or pumping encourages milk to move through and out of the breast. A breast massager can help with this. Momcozy Massager has a vibrating and warming effect that helps soothe the pain and tenderness from engorgement.
Pumping to release pressure: Sometimes babies don't want to nurse which causes engorgement. Pumping helps in relieving pressure. The Momcozy M9 has a -300mmHg suction power, which helps relieve pressure while giving you comfort. This wearable breast pump has easy functions where you can even pump effortlessly at night, while working, or while doing other tasks.
FAQs about Breast Engorgement Relief:
How to hand express milk to relieve engorgement?
To relieve breast engorgement by hand expressing, you can follow these steps:
- Wash your hands, get comfortable, and prepare your milk container.
- Gently massage your breasts in long strokes motion from your armpit to your nipple.
- Cup your breast in a C-shape using your thumb and finger. Imagine your breast is a clock. Your thumb should be at 12 o’clock while your finger is at 6 o’clock.
- Gently press your thumb and fingers together, release, and repeat. It’ll take a few minutes to come out. Gradually, your milk will slowly come out. Just continue doing it in a rhythm.
- If you notice that the milk flow is slowing down, switch to a different area and repeat the process.
- Once done expressing from one breast, you can now move to the other side and repeat the process.
How long to pump to relieve engorgement?
When using a breast pump, you can only pump for a short period. Usually 5-10 minutes only, just to release the pressure. Because pumping too much can make engorgement longer or make it worse.
How long does breast engorgement last?
For early postpartum, engorgement usually lasts for weeks after giving birth. Normally, breast engorgement can last for 24-48 hours if treated, but it could last for days if left untreated.
Is heat or ice better for engorgement?
Both ways can help relieve breast engorgement. Taking a warm shower before nursing and covering your breast with a warm towel helps with the milk flow. On the other hand, putting a cold compress on the breasts between feedings may help reduce swelling and pain.
What makes breast engorgement worse?
Breast engorgement can worsen if you:
- Express too much milk. Expressing more than needed can increase your milk supply and make engorgement worse. You can express or pump until the breasts feel comfortable.
- Breastfeeding less. If you don’t breastfeed or pump enough, the milk cannot be fully removed from the breast.
- The baby is not latching well. If the baby can’t latch properly, they can’t empty your breasts, which can make the engorgement worse.
- Sudden stop in breastfeeding. If you suddenly stop nursing or you change how often you feed, engorgement can occur.
How to stop engorgement overnight?
You can stop engorgement overnight through the following:
Pump or feed. Empty your breasts by feeding your little one or expressing milk. You can also try pumping for a short time before you go to bed.
Apply a cold compress. Applying a cold compress before bed reduces swelling and discomfort.
Sleep in a reclined position. Using elevated pillows helps take pressure off your breasts.
Wear a comfortable and supportive bra. A supportive bra can help keep the breast feel comfortable.
Take pain relievers. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen with the doctor's advice.
Conclusion
Managing breast engorgement is crucial for the comfort and well-being of breastfeeding mommas. Knowing the signs of engorgement can help relieve ways more effectively as well as the avoidance of certain practices that worsen engorgement. Engorgement can be overcome if mothers maintain proactive care not only for their breasts but also for themselves. Remember, if the pain and discomfort persist, professional help and guidance will provide you with added support and reassurance in this beautiful breastfeeding journey.
