Breast engorgement means that your breasts are overfilled with milk.
Your breasts becomes larger, heavier, and tender. Some of the fullness is due to extra blood and lymph fluids in the breast tissue.
If your breasts feel uncomfortably full, swollen, warm, throbbing, or painful, they are probably engorged. Your nipples may become flattened and, if the swelling is severe, your breasts may be so full that the skin looks shiny. The swelling may extend all the way to your armpit, and the lymph nodes in your armpits may be tender and swollen. You may even run a low fever.
Engorgement can make it difficult for your baby to breastfeed effectively. A hard areola makes it hard for your baby to latch deeply, which can lead to painful nipples and low milk supply.
If engorgement isn’t treated, it can lead to blocked ducts and it can even permanently harm breast tissue resulting in mastitis.
1. Breastfeed right after birth
This can help you to be more confident with breastfeeding and your baby can start to receive the immunological effects of colostrum. (the first breastmilk, which provides protection against infection and disease).
2. Nurse frequently
Look for your baby’s feeding cues instead of following the clock. Don’t put your newborn on a feeding schedule or wait until he’s crying from hunger to feed him.
3. Make sure your baby has a good latch
This is so that your baby can help you fully drain the breast.
Read More on how to know if your latch is correct here.
4. Avoid introducing bottle feeding in the first month
Unless your baby’s doctor feels there is a medical reason for it. The muscles used to suck on a bottle or pacifier are different than those used to breastfeed, and your baby may develop nipple confusion (difficulty with nursing after she’s learned how to get milk from a bottle).
5. Get help from a professional
It is a known fact that many Lactation Consultants can help you to correct your latch and probably also help you with the production of better milk supply and quality after birth.
But did you know that Rejoice Pregnancy can help you prepare for birth and colostrum?
Read more about our Birth & Breastfeeding Preparation Programme here.
Tips:
– If your baby’s feeding tend to be short or if you skip a feeding, always hand express to thoroughly remove milk from breast.
– Do not use warm compress for too long. Too much warmth can increase swelling and make it harder for milk to come out.
– Cold cabbage leaves can help to relieve swelling and soothe pain. However, too much of it can reduce milk supply.
**Rejoice Pregnancy is pro natural. Thus, we do not encourage mother’s to take any drugs or supplements to try and increase milk supply or quality.
Rejoice Pregnancy’s Breastfeeding Support and Postpartum Recovery Programmes will ensure your baby has sufficient colostrum and quality milk supply.
Our Maternal Health Visitors will work with you to ensure your baby is latching on correctly and ensure a stable and constant milk supply.
Contact Us to find out more!
? 97778010 (whatsapp)
Right preparation starts with Rejoice Pregnancy. Let us Rejoice with you!
