What Is Engorgement? Causes, Treatment And Complications
Breast engorgement is a common problem when what is known as “rising milk” occurs, that is, when the second phase of lactation occurs. In this second phase comes the transitional milk, a mixture between colostrum and mature milk. The increased volume of milk in the breasts is responsible for breast engorgement.
With breast engorgement, the breasts become hard, swollen, and painful due to too much breast milk. Congested breasts can become very large, and very tight. The swelling can raise the armpit and the veins on the surface of the breasts can be more visible or even protrude.
Breast engorgement is common after your baby is born
It is normal to have some degree of engorgement within the first week or two or after the baby is born. Increased blood flow to your breasts along with an increase in your breast milk production can lead to your breasts becoming heavy and feeling full.
If the woman is breastfeeding her baby, this stage of breast engorgement begins to improve within a few days of initiating breastfeeding, as milk production adjusts to meet the baby’s needs.
However, deciding not to breastfeed does not have to avoid the engorgement phase. This is because the mother’s body does not yet know that the baby will not be breastfed, so it will produce milk anyway.
Usually, breast engorgement will appear between the third and fifth day after delivery. If a mother who does not want to breastfeed her baby is not cut off with drugs, her body will gradually stop producing milk, so this uncomfortable and painful phase of engorgement should only last a few days.
It is also necessary to note that breast engorgement can also occur after the first few weeks, for example, if the mother misses a baby or milk expression or if the milk released from one or both breasts is drastically reduced. That is why it is important to take good care of feedings and balance breastfeeding and / or extraction in both breasts.
The dreaded “milk fever”
Breast engorgement during the first week of breastfeeding can be associated with fever and a general feeling of tiredness and malaise. Although this is not always the case, it is perfectly normal.
If during the days following delivery a woman has a high body temperature and does not show signs of infection, the cause is usually the increase in milk in the breasts. That is why this condition is often called “milk fever.”
If the reason for the fever is the rise in milk, there is no problem breastfeeding the baby. But keep in mind that fever can also be due to mastitis. Although you can breastfeed a baby with mastitis in most cases, it is important to see a doctor to assess the situation. If it is mastitis it is necessary to take measures so that it does not complicate.
How to treat breast engorgement
It is important to treat breast engorgement to avoid pain and, above all, possible complications. Breast engorgement can be easily treated, whatever the cause, in the following ways:
- Breastfeed your baby often, even if you have to wake him up.
- Let the baby breastfeed for as long as you want, at least 20 minutes.
- Express a little breast milk before each feeding to relieve some of the tension, soften the breast, and make it easier for the baby to latch on to the nipple.
- Massaging the breast during feeding to help release more milk.
- After each meal, place a cold compress on the breasts to relieve pain and swelling.
- Alternate between different breastfeeding positions to drain all areas of the breasts.
- Start feedings each time on one side to balance the release of milk.
- Do not give the baby formula milk in any feeding or water between feedings.
- Take a hot shower or place warm compresses on the breasts before feedings to facilitate the lowering reflex and the flow of milk.
- Get enough sleep and rest (no excuses).
