Breast Engorgement While Pregnant and Breastfeeding

Breast engorgement is an issue for many women, generally in the early days and weeks of breastfeeding their baby. Some women even experience breast engorgement when they are still pregnant, though not to the same degree as after their baby is born.

Breast engorgement is usually only a temporary issue. Over the first few weeks of a baby's life, a mother's milk supply equals her baby's needs.

What is breast engorgement?

Breast engorgement happens when the tissues of the breast fill with milk which create pressure and pain. Blood and body fluids can also fill the breast tissue, creating a feeling of fullness and discomfort.

Signs and symptoms

During engorgement, the breasts can appear stretched and full, often with more visible veins. The nipples can also look stretched as the breast tissue around them extends the skin. With breast engorgement, the breasts can feel warm or even hot to touch.

What causes breast engorgement during pregnancy?

Hormones signal to the breast to prepare for breastfeeding. Breast and nipple changes can be the first sign of pregnancy. Colostrum is an early form of milk produced by the breasts from around the third trimester of pregnancy. Colostrum is rich in fats and antibodies and is the only nutrition newborn babies need.

After birth engorgement

Newborn babies are hard-wired to seek their mother's breast and start sucking. When a baby is premature or there have been birth complications, it can take a while to learn how to attach and suck effectively. Early breastfeeding is important. Although the volume of colostrum is generally small, it is nutritionally perfect for newborn babies. It can take 3 to 4 days for a mother's breasts to fill with milk. Regular, effective sucking by the baby helps a mother's breasts to produce milk.

When breastfeeding

Some mothers produce more breast milk than others and seem to be more prone to breast engorgement. Frequent, uninterrupted breastfeeds can help to avoid engorgement from occurring. Women who have had breast implants may be more prone to breast engorgement.

What breast engorgement feels like

The feeling can range from mild discomfort to significant pain. We all have different pain thresholds, and our own individual interpretation of what pain means. Breast and nipple tissue is always sensitive, and any buildup of pressure is uncomfortable.

How to prevent breast engorgement

Breast engorgement is uncommon immediately after birth. For most women, it takes 3 to 4 days after their baby is born for their breasts to produce milk. In women who have breastfed before, it can take less time for them to lactate than women having their first baby. Breast engorgement is relieved when a baby feeds. For some women, offering a breastfeed only provides temporary relief. What's important is to breastfeed as often as the baby demands. Look for your baby's cues or signals that they want to feed. Avoid following the clock or timing your baby's feeding. Healthy, well babies can give their own signals that they want and need to breastfeed.

How to relieve breast engorgement

The best way to manage breast engorgement is to breastfeed as frequently as your baby demands. In newborns, this can be every couple of hours or more. Newborn babies can demand to breastfeed 8 to 12 times in a 24-hour period. This is nature's way of ensuring they have enough milk to grow and thrive and for their mother to produce enough milk. It can take 6 to 8 weeks for a mother’s breast milk supply to be established to meet her baby's needs. Over the early weeks, a mother's hormones are stabilizing, and her baby is adjusting to feeding and digesting milk. There are a lot of complex adjustments being made.

Tips to relieve breast engorgement

There is no one right way to manage breast engorgement. Experiment with different ways to relieve the pressure and do what works for you.

Things to avoid when your breasts are engorged

Frequently asked questions about breast engorgement

Would it help to find another position to breastfeed? Experiment with different attachment positions. You may be more comfortable with a football hold when your baby is breastfeeding. Can I take medicine to help with the pain? Speak with your provider or pharmacist about pain relief which is safe to take for breastfeeding.