What Should I Do to Relieve Breast Engorgement During Postpartum Recovery?

Update Date: 2024-05-17 Source: Network

When a woman is recuperating after childbirth, she may easily develop lumps in her breasts due to excessive lactation, leading to symptoms of breast engorgement. Many people do not know how to handle this situation, but failure to address it can lead to breast pain and may even induce breast inflammation. Therefore, it is important to take various measures to alleviate the problem. So what should women do when they experience breast engorgement during their recuperation period? Here are some suggestions:

1. Hot Compress

A hot compress can help unblock milk ducts and improve breast circulation. When applying a hot compress, avoid the nipple and areola areas as the skin is delicate. Ensure that the temperature is not too hot to avoid scalding the skin.

2. Massage

After washing your hands, gently massage and squeeze your breasts from all sides towards the nipple. This can help unblock milk ducts and reduce skin edema. If you feel particular pain in a certain area of your breast during the massage, gently squeeze that area to expel accumulated milk and prevent blockage of the milk ducts, which can lead to breast inflammation.

3. Milk Expression

If a mother produces too much milk and her baby cannot consume it all, she may experience breast engorgement. In this case, she should express the excess milk and store it in the refrigerator for future use. However, it is important to ensure that the storage bottles and breast pumps are properly sterilized and refrigerated, as otherwise the milk may not be suitable for the baby. Additionally, if a mother cannot breastfeed promptly due to various reasons, she may need to express some of her milk to prevent breast engorgement.

4. Hot Shower

When the breasts are swollen and painful, taking a hot shower while massaging the breasts can help alleviate discomfort.

5. Warm Water Soak

Place a basin of warm water on your knees and bend your upper body towards the knees, allowing your breasts to soak in the water. Gently shake your breasts to help the milk flow out more easily due to gravity.