Breastfeeding, in addition to being recommended as the main means of feeding babies up to 6 months of age, is a moment eagerly awaited by all mothers, or at least almost all. It’s often imagined as a magical, indescribable moment of total connection, but that’s not always the case. Especially during the first days of adaptation, when the nipple cracks, gets sore, bleeds, and pain can occur throughout the breast area due to engorged milk.
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But breastfeeding is synonymous with persistence and determination and, above all, a strong desire to feed your baby—only this will keep you from quitting at the first twinge of pain. One of the most common problems during breastfeeding is engorged milk, also known in medicine as breast engorgement. Engorged milk leaves the breasts hard and very sore, greatly complicating the breastfeeding process. It usually causes breast fever, cracks on the nipple, as well as intensely uncomfortable pain that can even make it impossible to hold the baby. In more severe cases, it can lead to a high fever, requiring special care so the problem does not worsen.
But why does engorged milk happen? And the answer is quite simple! In the beginning, women produce more breast milk than is needed to feed the baby, and since the baby does not drink it all, the excess ends up hardening inside the breast, forming small very painful lumps that make breastfeeding difficult. There are some ways to prevent engorged milk, such as using a nursing bra that properly supports the breasts. In addition, nursing pads, which are positioned correctly and sold in major supermarkets and pharmacies, can also help.
Treatment for Engorged Milk
The best way to avoid engorged milk is to offer breast milk on demand. Forget the old recommendations of feeding every two or three hours. If the baby cries and wants to nurse, the ideal is to let them breastfeed, as this prevents the excess milk from hardening and causing issues.
But if you choose to breastfeed at set times, another tactic is manual expressing. When your breasts are very full, you can massage them with your fingertips and express some of the accumulated milk. This procedure should last about 15 minutes, until your breasts feel soft and comfortable enough for the baby to nurse properly.
Another often-used method, which contrary to what many think only offers immediate relief and actually makes the problem worse after a few minutes, is taking a hot shower. During a shower, the hot water falling on milk-filled breasts provides immediate relief since the heat dilates the mammary glands and allows the milk to flow easily. However, this also stimulates further production, causing an increase in milk a few minutes after the procedure.
Opt for warm to cool compresses and apply them right after breastfeeding. The compresses will relieve pain, reduce breast swelling and inflammation. You should never stop breastfeeding under any circumstances, as continuing to breastfeed teaches the breast to produce only as much milk as the baby consumes, allowing the problem of engorged milk to resolve naturally. If the problem persists after these procedures and is accompanied by severe pain and fever, a doctor should be consulted to evaluate the situation.
See also: How to Increase Breast Milk – Beginning of Breastfeeding
Photos: Raíssa Ruschel, Sarah
