What are engorged breasts?
The first three days or so after delivery the breasts do not produce milk but a thin fluid called colostrum which is rich in sugar, protein and antibodies. Sometimes the milk is produced literally overnight, painfully distending the breasts which are then said to be engorged. If the areola is swollen too, the baby will be unable to suck until some of the excess milk is eased off by hand first. The mother can do this herself especially if she takes a hot bath with plenty of flannels over her breasts. This method is generally not advised for bottle feeding mothers and should be guided by their midwife or health visitor. Engorgement does not usually last long. If it does, advice from the midwife or breast-feeding adviser should be sought. • What can be done for sore nipples? If a nipple is sore, especially if there is a searing pain when the baby sucks, it may be cracked. The best remedy for this is to expose the nipple to the air as much as possible. If there is a lot of pain, it is bett
