Engorgement

Milk production usually really kicks in around the 3rd or 4th day after delivery. Because your breasts suddenly start producing a lot of milk, your body ensures that more blood is sent to your breasts, and this also makes the lymph system in the breasts work harder. Because of the milk, the blood supply and extra fluid, the breasts often feel tense for 1 to 2 days, this is also called engorgement. After that, your body gets used to making breast milk and this tense feeling disappears.

The best way to prevent engorgement is to ensure that your baby breastfeeds very regularly, so that most of the milk is drunk away. If you do experience congestion, you can do the following:

• Cold compresses on the breasts between feedings.
• Half an hour before feeding with warm cloths to warm the breasts again, then the milk flows more easily.
• Massage under a warm shower, just before a feed.
• Express the breasts completely empty once a day.
• Wear a sturdy bra that provides support but does not pinch.
• Take a rest.
• Use paracetamol if you have an increase or if the engorgement is painful.

Sometimes it happens that the milk ducts are actually closed due to considerable congestion. This sometimes prevents the milk from coming out. If this is the case, it can help to warm the breasts thoroughly, massage and to pump the breasts once until the milk starts flowing again. In this case, also ask your midwife or a lactation consultant for advice.