PARENTS
How to Relieve Engorged Breasts
You’ll know you are engorged when your breasts are swollen, very firm, hot and painful.
Écrit par
Dr. Harvey Karp
PARTAGER CET ARTICLE
CHOIX DES PARENTS
Meilleures ventes
PARENTS
Écrit par
Dr. Harvey Karp
PARTAGER CET ARTICLE
Meilleures ventes
Breastfeeding success most often depends on mums having the right information at their fingertips in those first crucial days, in addition to getting support. So, if you are pregnant, set this article aside now but remind yourself (a calendar alert is a good idea!) to look at it 1-5 days after birth. That is when engorgement peaks, and you will want these tips (and video) handy.
From the beginning, your baby will suck colostrum from your breast, sometimes called ‘liquid gold’ because it is rich with immune-boosting antibodies and protein. Then your milk ‘starts to come in’ 3-5 days after birth and your breast will feel full, warm and heavy for 1-2 days (all totally normal). Both blood and milk are rushing to your breasts! Feeding your baby frequently is important during the early days of your child’s life.
You will know you are engorged when your breasts are swollen, very firm, hot and painful. The skin may feel tight or look shiny. Swelling may go all the way to your armpit. Ouch!
Below you will find tips for how to treat breast engorgement.
As you breastfeed and empty your breasts, engorgement should get better in a day or two. However, if you cannot or are unable to breastfeed, breast engorgement may last several days, which if untreated, may lead to plugged ducts or mastitis.
Pumping should not make engorgement worse—in fact, it might help alleviate engorgement. If your breast is engorged, it might become too firm for your baby to latch. Pumping a little bit before breastfeeding may help soften the areola and lengthen the nipple to make it easier for your infant to connect with your breast.
Engorgement is a top reason women abandon breastfeeding. Share this advice with a pregnant friend (or mom who just gave birth...but act fast!) and you will have done a very good deed!
Advice is adapted from materials by Breastfeeding Medicine of Northeast Ohio.
Avertissement : Les informations présentes sur notre site ne constituent PAS des conseils médicaux pour une personne ou une condition spécifique. Elles sont uniquement destinées à titre d'information générale. Si vous avez des questions médicales et des préoccupations concernant votre enfant ou vous-même, veuillez contacter votre fournisseur de soins de santé. Le lait maternel est la meilleure source de nutrition pour les bébés. Il est important que, en préparation et pendant l'allaitement, les mères adoptent une alimentation saine et équilibrée. La combinaison de l'allaitement au sein et au biberon dans les premières semaines de vie peut réduire la production de lait maternel de la mère et il est difficile de revenir sur la décision de ne pas allaiter. Si vous décidez d'utiliser une préparation pour nourrissons, vous devez suivre les instructions avec soin.
