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Breast engorgement - Coggle Diagram
Breast engorgement
Treatment
Treatment will depend on whether you are breastfeeding or not
• For those breastfeeding
• Apply warm compresses or take a warm shower – to encourage milk to come out
• Feeding more regularly or at intervals of one to three hours
• Feeding for as long as the baby is hungry
• Massage the breast during feeding
• Apply cold compresses or ice packs to relieve pain and swelling
Alternate feeding positions – to drain milk from all areas of the breast
• Alternate the breasts during feeding – for the baby to empty the supply
• Do hand expressing or use a pump when you can’t breast breastfeed
• Take approved pain killers from your doctor
For those who do not breastfeed
• Use cold compresses or ice pack - to reduce swelling and pain
• Take pain medication approved by the doctor
• Wear supportive bra – to prevent your breasts from moving significantly
Causes
Missing a feeding
• Skipping a pumping session
• Creating overabundance milk for the baby’s appetite
Supplementing with formula between breastfeeding
• Weaning too quickly
• Nursing an ill baby
• Difficulty with lactating and sucking
• Failure to express breast milk when it first come because you don’t plan to breast feed
Symptoms
Hard or tight breast
• Tender or warm to touch
• Heavy or full
• Lumpy
• Swollen which can go up to the armpit
• Veins may be visible due to increased blood flow and tightness of the skin
• Low grade fever
• Tightness
Definition
The breast tissue is filled overfills with milk, blood and other fluids
• It is common in the early days or weeks of breastfeeding
• Caused by increase in blood flow and milk supply in the breast
Prevention
Feed or pump regularly
• Use ice packs to reduce supply
• Remove small amounts of breast milk • Wean slowly