up arrow Return to top of page ENGORGEMENT, PAIN, HURT My breasts are full, hard, lumpy, painful and my baby can latch. What is wrong?
• Between 2-5 days after your baby is born, your mature, white, breast milk comes in. Your breasts will swell. If there is a lot of swelling, it is called engorgement. It might be temporarily hard for your baby to latch. • Engorgement is a normal reaction. • This swelling can happen even if the mom is not breastfeeding. • The tender fullness will go away in 1-2 days. To prevent engorgement – • Nurse your baby as often as possible in the first few days, at least 8 – 12 feedings every 24 hours. • Let your baby nurse at the breast until he is ready to stop. • Offer both breasts at each feeding, even if your baby only takes one side. • If your baby is sleepy, keep him close by and watch for cues that he is hungry and ready to eat. Avoid going longer than 3 hours between feedings in the first week. Treating engorgement – • This is not a good time to quit breastfeeding. The key to relief is removing the milk, so keep breastfeeding your baby. It will get better in 1-2 days. • Try compresses o
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