As a breastfeeding parent, one of the challenges you may face in your journey is breast engorgement. Although it’s common, it can also be uncomfortable, and as a new parent, ensuring you feel comfortable and pain-free is crucial.
If you are looking to find out more about breast engorgement, keep reading to find out what it is, what causes it, and how you can prevent and resolve it.
😣 The 411 on Breast Engorgement
According to the Cleveland Clinic, breast engorgement is when your breasts swell soon after giving birth, as they shift from the first stage of lactation and into the second stage, when your milk starts “coming in.” This increased volume in your breasts can lead to pain, discomfort, and other symptoms.
As WIC Breastfeeding Support explains, you’ll know if your breasts are engorged if they feel hard, full, warm, tender, and painful; if you have a low-grade fever; and / or if your baby is having difficulty latching.
If you’re facing this, OSF Healthcare recommends doing the following to help provide some relief:
- Nursing or pumping more to reduce the buildup and encourage a more natural flow of milk
- Putting a cold compress on your breasts in between feedings to reduce the swelling
- Massaging your breasts gently to help the flow of milk
- Placing a warm towel on your breasts to bring more milk flow
These tips may help to alleviate some of the pain that engorgement can bring as you transition into this second stage of breastfeeding.
On the other hand, to prevent breast engorgement from happening to you at all, Lancaster General Health suggests:
- Breastfeeding frequently to establish and regulate your milk supply
- Checking your baby’s latch to ensure they’re sucking properly
- Allowing your baby to feed however long they need
At SOLMA, we wholeheartedly believe in reaching out to outside resources as well if you are experiencing pain and discomfort. We also recommend reaching out to your doctor, a lactation consultant, or other resources in the community like Baby Cafe that may be able to help.
As you enter your breastfeeding journey, SOLMA is here for you! Our ready-to-drink lactation support teas are the perfect beverages that taste delicious and are safe to consume for both you and your baby. Check out our teas and keep them handy while breastfeeding.
🎧 Listen to SOLMA on Right Here in Mass
SOLMA co-founder Daniela Procopio was a guest on the Right Here in Mass Podcast!
In this episode, Daniela talks about her inspiration for starting SOLMA, what the product development process was like, how we tweaked and refined SOLMA’s flavors, tips for how companies can be more inclusive towards breastfeeding parents, and so much more.
Tune in now through the button below to hear Daniela's inspiring journey.
Are you a new breastfeeding parent who is looking for a community who truly gets it? We’re here for you. Email us at any time with questions, comments, or concerns. Let SOLMA give you one less thing to worry about! 💜
