Breast engorgement
Swollen, painful breasts from milk accumulation, often impairing infant latch.
Breast engorgement is a condition of the mammary glands caused by the expansion and pressure of synthesized and stored breast milk. It alters the shape and curvature of the nipple region, making the breast inflexible, flat, hard, and swollen, which can impair an infant's ability to latch on. Engorgement typically occurs when the breasts transition from colostrum to mature milk, but can also arise later if milk is not adequately removed.
Quick Facts
- Fever occurs in
- 15 percent
- Fever typically less than
- 39 degrees C
- Fever duration
- less than one day
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- Symptoms include the breasts being swollen and oedematous, with skin appearing shiny and diffusely red.
- Failure to remove breast milk, especially in the first few days after delivery when milk comes in and blood flow increases, is a primary cause.
Treatment
When a mother’s breasts become engorged, the key step is to remove the milk. If the baby can latch well, she should nurse as often as the baby wants. If latching is difficult, she can hand-express or pump a few times until the breasts are softer, then return to frequent breastfeeding. Applying warmth, like a warm compress or shower, before expressing helps milk flow, while cold compresses after feeding or expressing can reduce swelling. A well-fitting nursing bra with wide straps and open cups may ease discomfort. Medical options include proteolytic enzymes such as serrapeptase, protease, and subcutaneous oxytocin. Cabbage leaves are sometimes suggested, but studies show no overall benefit. Evidence from clinical trials on treatments is weak and not strong enough for a clinical recommendation. Regular breastfeeding should continue. Engorgement is less common in baby-friendly hospitals that follow the Ten Steps and support early breastfeeding.
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