If your breasts suddenly feel full, hard, warm, or painful - especially in the early days of breastfeeding - you might be experiencing breast engorgement. It’s a common and usually short-lived part of your feeding journey, but if not managed properly, it can lead to discomfort or even complications like blocked ducts or mastitis.
The good news? With a little support and the right techniques, breast engorgement can be relieved quickly and safely.
What Is Breast Engorgement?
Breast engorgement is when your breasts become overly full of milk, blood, and fluid, often making them feel:
- Swollen and firm
- Warm or hot to the touch
- Tender or painful
- Shiny or stretched
- Lumpy or uneven
It’s most common around days 3–5 postpartum, when your mature milk “comes in” and your body is adjusting supply to meet your baby’s needs.
What Causes Breast Engorgement?
Engorgement occurs when:
- Your milk supply increases faster than it’s being drained
- Baby isn’t feeding frequently or effectively
- There's a sudden change in feeding (e.g. missed feeds, baby sleeping longer)
- You're weaning or reducing feeds too quickly
- Baby struggles to latch or has a shallow latch
Engorgement can affect one or both breasts, and if left untreated, may lead to blocked ducts or mastitis.
What Does Engorgement Feel Like?
You might notice:
- Heavy, tight breasts
- Difficulty attaching baby to the breast
- Flattened or stretched nipples
- A general sense of pressure or throbbing
This can make breastfeeding more challenging and may cause baby to fuss or struggle with latch.
How to Relieve Engorgement Quickly
1. Feed Frequently
Offer the breast at least every 2–3 hours to keep milk moving. Don't wait until your breasts feel uncomfortably full as this can make things worse.
If baby struggles to latch:
- Hand express a little milk to soften the areola or use reverse pressure softening
- Use a breast pump on low suction or a manual pump for a few minutes to relieve pressure
2. Use Hot Therapy
Applying a warm compress or heat pad can:
- Encourage let-down when feeding
3. Use Cold Therapy
Apply a cold compress post feed to reduce swelling and soothe discomfort:
- Helps reduce inflammation
- Eases soreness and tenderness
- Prevents excessive swelling between feeds
4. Hand Express Between Feeds (If Needed)
If you still feel full after a feed, or baby hasn’t fed effectively:
- Hand express a little milk for relief
- Avoid fully draining the breast unless needed as it can increase supply further
5. Wear a Supportive, Non-Wired Bra
Choose a comfortable nursing bra that supports without restricting:
- Avoid underwires as they can put pressure on milk ducts
- Change nursing pads regularly to avoid chafing
How to Prevent Engorgement
- Feed on demand (8–12 times in 24 hours)
- Ensure baby has a deep latch and good feeding technique
- Avoid skipping or delaying feeds
- If weaning, reduce feeds gradually, not abruptly
Express only enough to relieve pressure if your breasts feel full.
When to Seek Help
Contact your midwife, health visitor, or GP if:
- Engorgement doesn’t improve after 24–48 hours
- You feel feverish or flu-like
- You notice red streaks or painful lumps
- Pain becomes severe or baby won’t latch
These could be signs of mastitis, which may require treatment.
Midwife’s Top Tips
- Use warm and cold therapy - simple but effective
- A hot shower can often help soften engorged breasts
- Hand express before feeds if baby struggles to latch
- Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or paracetamol can help manage pain and discomfort
- Wearing a supportive, non-restrictive bra can provide comfort and support
- Use lymphatic drainage to help relieve the engorgement
- Don’t stop breastfeeding - feeding through engorgement helps
- Ask for latch support, it’s often the quickest fix
Engorgement is incredibly common but it doesn’t have to be a long-term problem. With a few simple techniques, frequent feeding, and a little help from some Lansinoh products, you can ease discomfort and get back to feeding with confidence.
Remember, your body is adjusting, your baby is learning, and you’re doing your best. Be kind to yourself and reach out for support if you need it.
