Most mothers experience breast fullness at one time or another as their bodies readjust  to the baby’s changing demands for breastmilk. This may make the breast to ache at time and cause some discomfort.

Breast engorgement occurs if you are not able to breastfeed your baby frequently and thoroughly enough to empty the breast in the first few days after birth.  However some women still experience engorgement no matter how frequently they feed. Obstructed milk ducts can also cause you to be engorged. This can happen if you’ve had breast augmentation . The implants can take up so much room that there is little space left inside the breast for increased blood , lymph and milk. Wearing very tight bra can also result in obstructed ducts.

How to relive the discomfort of breast engorgement

These tips may help you relive the aches and discomfort of a full breast.

• feed the baby frequently on demand
• soak a warm cloth in water and put it on your breast
• take a warm shower before feeding your baby
• it may also help to express a small amount of breastmilk manually or with a breast pump before breastfeeding
• for severe engorgement, use cool compressions, a gel pack or ice pack in between feedings to relieve  discomfort and swelling

Discomfort due to engorgement may also be relieved by the following :

• feeding your baby in more than one position
• gently massage your breast from under the arm and down toward the nipple  to help reduce soreness and promote milk flow
• most women find wearing a nursing bra to be helpful
•  acetaminophen and ibuprofen may help relieve pain . However you have to seek your doctor’s okay before taking any medication during breast-feeding

You have to know that the best solution for breast engorgement is to keep breastfeeding. Your milk supply will soon match your breastfeeding baby’s demand. This will help you feel much more comfortable.

How to prevent breast engorgement

These are some of the things you can do to reduce your risk of experiencing breast engorgement

• breastfeed within 2 hours after birth if possible
• nurse your baby frequently  ( between 8 to 12 times a day  after the first 24 hours )
• let your baby finish feeding on one breast before switching to the other
• try to avoid introducing the pacifier or bottle in the first month unless there is a  medical reason to do so
• if your doctor or lactation consultant advices you to introduce a bottle, use pumped milk instead of formula. However if you do supplement with formula, you need to hand express or pump everytime the formula is used.
• if the baby is not nursing well or  you skip feeding, you have to hand express or use a pump to get the milk out