Can breast fullness or breast engorgement affect breastfeeding?
• Breast fullness does not cause pain when you breastfeed or change your ability to breastfeed. Breast engorgement can cause breast pain and make it hard for your baby to latch-on well for breastfeeding. To latch-on means that your baby has taken all of your nipple and part of your areola (dark circle around your nipple) far into his mouth. Latch-on is important for your baby to get enough breast milk. When your baby does not get enough breast milk, he may not gain weight as he should. • When you are engorged, your areolas may swell and cause your nipples to flatten. Your baby cannot take a mouthful of your breast in his mouth to latch-on well and can only suckle on your nipple. He may not get enough milk and may suck harder, which can cause nipple pain. Your breasts will not empty completely and a lot of milk may be left inside. Having painful breasts can make you not want to breastfeed as often as you should. If breast engorgement is not treated, the amount of milk your breasts make
