{"id":17297,"date":"2023-04-13T10:38:04","date_gmt":"2023-04-13T15:38:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=17297"},"modified":"2026-02-23T16:25:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T22:25:37","slug":"6-tips-to-treat-breast-engorgement-while-breastfeeding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/6-tips-to-treat-breast-engorgement-while-breastfeeding\/","title":{"rendered":"6 tips to treat breast engorgement while breastfeeding"},"content":{"rendered":"

Breast engorgement \u2013 swollen breasts \u2013 is a common problem for breastfeeding moms. When milk isn\u2019t entirely emptied during a nursing or pumping session, engorged breasts may ensue.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019ve chosen to breastfeed<\/a> or bottle feed<\/a>, after delivery your body naturally makes milk. Swollen breasts can be caused by milk building up and putting pressure on the breast glands.<\/p>\n

Breast engorgement usually happens two to four days after the baby\u2019s birth. Sarah Musselman, RN, a lactation expert at OSF HealthCare, offers some suggestions to help with breast engorgement treatment.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can tell it\u2019s an engorged breast when you feel pain, tenderness and swelling. Your breast will also likely feel full, tight and a lot of pressure, unlike when there\u2019s a blocked milk duct<\/a>,\u201d Sarah said.<\/p>\n

Tips to relieve engorgement<\/h2>\n
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  1. Nursing more:<\/strong> The best solution is to let the baby nurse more often. This can sometimes be a challenge for both baby and mom. But nursing more can help reduce that build-up and encourage a more natural, frequent flow of milk.<\/li>\n
  2. Pumping:<\/strong> Sometimes babies don\u2019t want to eat as much as mom makes, so you can pump to relieve the pressure. If you\u2019re saving the expressed milk for later, be sure to follow safe breast milk storage guidelines<\/a> for the countertop, refrigerator and freezer.<\/li>\n
  3. Gentle massage: <\/strong>It\u2019s easier for a baby to nurse on a softened breast as opposed to a tight, swollen breast. Gently massaging the breast before feeding and while baby is nursing helps improve the flow of breast milk. If your baby won\u2019t stay latched while you are massaging, you can massage the breast just before getting them to latch.<\/li>\n
  4. Warm towel or shower: <\/strong>Try feeding your baby from the breast right after getting out of the shower or covering your breasts with warm moist towels for a few minutes right before nursing. The gentle massage and heat from the shower or the moist warmth from the towels will help get milk flowing.<\/li>\n
  5. Cold compress:<\/strong> Putting a cold compress \u2013 or even a bag of frozen veggies \u2013 on your breast in between feedings may help to reduce some of the swelling and pain. Keep this on for no more than 20-30 minutes.<\/li>\n
  6. Cabbage:<\/strong> This is an old wives tale that doesn\u2019t always help, but it likely won\u2019t hurt, either. Take the clean leaves from the inside of a fresh head of cabbage and hold them in place on your breast \u2013 not your nipple \u2013 with your shirt or bra.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    What not to do<\/h2>\n

    Not emptying all of the milk from your breast can also cause engorgement.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Dealing with breastfeeding issues?<\/p>\n

    Use these tips to help <\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    \u201cWhen a baby nurses or when you pump, this sends a signal to your breasts to produce more milk,\u201d Sarah said.<\/p>\n

    So even if a breast is emptied entirely, your body will continue to produce more milk.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBut, if you\u2019re pumping to relieve swollen breasts, don\u2019t pump to empty the breast. Pump enough to relieve the pressure. If you pump until you\u2019re empty, you\u2019ll just fill back up again,\u201d Sarah said.<\/p>\n

    Here are some extra tips to prevent engorgement before it comes on.<\/p>\n