Breast Engorgement: Causes, Relief, and Complications
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Table Contents
•
Definition
•
Introduction
•
Causes of Breast Engorgement
•
Relieve of Breast Engorgement
•
Complications of Breast Engorgement
•
After Birth
•
Conclusion
2
Definition
Breast engorgement is
the development of
hard, swollen, and
painful breasts
when
too much breast
milk
accumulates in
the milk ducts
3
Introduction
•
Engorged breasts can become extremely large, tight,
lumpy, and tender. The swelling may go all the way
up into your armpit, and the veins on the surface of
your breasts may become more visible or even stick
out.
•
This condition frequently occurs when
breast
milk
first comes in, though it certainly can happen at
other times as well. It can be quite uncomfortable,
but can be relieved by releasing the excess milk from
the breast and taking steps to ease discomfort.
4
5
Causes of Breast Engorgement
Schedule Changes
Whether you nurse, pump, or do a combination
of the two, schedule changes can have a big
impact on your milk supply. When milk that is
normally expressed at a certain time isn't, it sits
in the breasts and causes them to fill, which can
quickly lead to breast engorgement if not
managed.
●●●
6
Causes of Breast Engorgement
Overabundant Milk Supply
Generally, the amount of breast milk your body
makes is based on demand. The more your baby
nurses, the more milk is produced, optimally at
just the right level to keep your baby full but not
engorge your breasts.
●●●
7
Causes of Breast Engorgement
Weaning or Supplementing
Breast engorgement also can happen when you
make adjustments to your baby's diet, such as
adding first foods, supplementing with formula,
or switching to formula or milk. (Note: The
American Academy of Pediatrics does not
recommend cow's milk for babies until age 1.)
8
Relieve
of Breast Engorgement
Breastfeed Often
Offer your child the breast very often, ideally
every one to three hours throughout the day
and night. Let your child breastfeed for as long
as they want, but aim for at least 20 minutes at
each feeding.
●●●
9
Relieve
of Breast Engorgement
Make Breastfeeding Easier
Take a warm bath or shower, or apply warm
compresses to your breasts, just before nursing
or pumping (not in between feedings, as this
can worsen swelling). The warmth can help with
your
let-down reflex
and get your milk flowing.
●●●
10
Relieve
of Breast Engorgement
Use Different Breastfeeding Positions
Alternate breastfeeding positions to drain all
the areas of your breasts. Breastfeed from only
one side for an entire feeding to help empty
that breast fully. Then, start the next feeding on
the opposite side
.
●●●
11
Relieve
of Breast Engorgement
Soothe Pain
Placing a cold compress or cabbage leaves on
your breasts after each feeding can provide
significant relief from pain and swelling. Slip
them under your bra to help them stay in place.
12
Complications
of Breast Engorgement
Problems for the Baby
•
The pressure from the backup of milk in your
breasts can eventually lead to an overactive let-
down reflex. A very fast flow of milk can cause your
baby to briefly gag, choke, and swallow excessive
amounts of air as they're trying to latch on and
feed.
●●●
13
Complications
of Breast Engorgement
Problems for the Baby
•
Low milk supply may not seem like a likely outcome
of engorgement, but it is possible if the issue is
persistent. Engorgement makes your breasts full
and hard, which can cause your nipples to become
flat.
•
This can cause poor latch (when your baby has
difficulty connecting to the nipple properly).
●●●
14
Complications
of Breast Engorgement
Problems for the Baby
•
Some babies may also go on a nursing strike during
engorgement due to frustration from trying to latch
on or coping with a strong letdown. Low milk
supply aside, this alone can cause poor weight gain
and erode breastfeeding confidence
●●●
15
Complications
of Breast Engorgement
Problems for the Breastfeeding Parent
•
Many women leave the hospital within a few days
of childbirth, so breast engorgement often begins
at home. Since breast engorgement can be painful,
unexpected, and cause difficulty with latching on,
it's a common cause of early weaning.
●●●
16
Complications
of Breast Engorgement
Problems for the Breastfeeding Parent
•
Many women expect breastfeeding to be easy but
find that getting the hang of it can actually be
challenging, especially as struggles like breast
engorgement can make a new parent feel
inadequate, frustrated, or lost. Know that it's not
your fault and these are common issues.
●●●
17
Complications
of Breast Engorgement
Problems for the Breastfeeding Parent
•
Also, consult your doctor to ensure you have the
correct diagnosis to prevent and address these
complications, as some of them, like mastitis, need
treatment beyond nursing management.
7
•
Consulting a lactation consultant can also make a
world of difference.
18
After birth
•
It's normal to have some degree of breast
engorgement during the first week or two after the
birth of your baby. An increase in blood flow to your
breasts along with a surge in your milk supply often
results in your breasts getting overly full.
•
Engorgement that happens in this period is often the
most intense a mother will experience. The majority
of new mothers experience it to some degree.
19
After birth
•
If you're breastfeeding, this stage of breast
engorgement typically starts to get better
within a few days as your feeding habits
take hold and your milk production adjusts
to meet your baby's needs.
•
However, you may experience
engorgement after this time if you miss a
few feedings or pumping sessions.
20
21
Conclusion
•
Knowing what breast engorgement is, when
it's likely to occur.
•
Remember, this condition is temporary and
tactics like consistent nursing, fully draining
breasts, weaning slowly, nursing equally on
each side, and using ice packs or cabbage
leaves to help reduce any swelling can help
tremendously.
22
References
Google.com
Wikipedia.org
Studymafia.org
Slidespanda.com
Thanks
To
StudyMafia
.org
Breast engorgement is a common condition where breasts become hard, swollen, and painful due to excess milk accumulation. It can be uncomfortable but can be managed through various methods. Causes include schedule changes, overabundant milk supply, and weaning. Relief methods such as frequent breastfeeding and warm compresses can help ease discomfort. Complications may arise if left untreated. Understanding and addressing breast engorgement is essential for nursing mothers' well-being.
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StudyMafia.Org Breast Engorgement Submitted To: Studymafia.org Studymafia.org Submitted By:
Table Contents Definition Introduction Causes of Breast Engorgement Relieve of Breast Engorgement Complications of Breast Engorgement After Birth Conclusion 2
Definition Breast engorgement is the development of hard, swollen, and painful breasts when too much breast milk accumulates in the milk ducts 3
Introduction Engorged breasts can become extremely large, tight, lumpy, and tender. The swelling may go all the way up into your armpit, and the veins on the surface of your breasts may become more visible or even stick out. This condition frequently occurs when breast milk first comes in, though it certainly can happen at other times as well. It can be quite uncomfortable, but can be relieved by releasing the excess milk from the breast and taking steps to ease discomfort. 4
Causes of Breast Engorgement Schedule Changes Whether you nurse, pump, or do a combination of the two, schedule changes can have a big impact on your milk supply. When milk that is normally expressed at a certain time isn't, it sits in the breasts and causes them to fill, which can quickly lead to breast engorgement if not managed. 6
Causes of Breast Engorgement Overabundant Milk Supply Generally, the amount of breast milk your body makes is based on demand. The more your baby nurses, the more milk is produced, optimally at just the right level to keep your baby full but not engorge your breasts. 7
Causes of Breast Engorgement Weaning or Supplementing Breast engorgement also can happen when you make adjustments to your baby's diet, such as adding first foods, supplementing with formula, or switching to formula or milk. (Note: The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend cow's milk for babies until age 1.) 8
Relieve of Breast Engorgement Breastfeed Often Offer your child the breast very often, ideally every one to three hours throughout the day and night. Let your child breastfeed for as long as they want, but aim for at least 20 minutes at each feeding. 9
Relieve of Breast Engorgement Make Breastfeeding Easier Take a warm bath or shower, or apply warm compresses to your breasts, just before nursing or pumping (not in between feedings, as this can worsen swelling). The warmth can help with your let-down reflex and get your milk flowing. 10
Relieve of Breast Engorgement Use Different Breastfeeding Positions Alternate breastfeeding positions to drain all the areas of your breasts. Breastfeed from only one side for an entire feeding to help empty that breast fully. Then, start the next feeding on the opposite side. 11
Relieve of Breast Engorgement Soothe Pain Placing a cold compress or cabbage leaves on your breasts after each feeding can provide significant relief from pain and swelling. Slip them under your bra to help them stay in place. 12
Complicationsof Breast Engorgement Problems for the Baby The pressure from the backup of milk in your breasts can eventually lead to an overactive let- down reflex. A very fast flow of milk can cause your baby to briefly gag, choke, and swallow excessive amounts of air as they're trying to latch on and feed. 13
Complicationsof Breast Engorgement Problems for the Baby Low milk supply may not seem like a likely outcome of engorgement, but it is possible if the issue is persistent. Engorgement makes your breasts full and hard, which can cause your nipples to become flat. This can cause poor latch (when your baby has difficulty connecting to the nipple properly). 14
Complicationsof Breast Engorgement Problems for the Baby Some babies may also go on a nursing strike during engorgement due to frustration from trying to latch on or coping with a strong letdown. Low milk supply aside, this alone can cause poor weight gain and erode breastfeeding confidence 15
Complicationsof Breast Engorgement Problems for the Breastfeeding Parent Many women leave the hospital within a few days of childbirth, so breast engorgement often begins at home. Since breast engorgement can be painful, unexpected, and cause difficulty with latching on, it's a common cause of early weaning. 16
Complicationsof Breast Engorgement Problems for the Breastfeeding Parent Many women expect breastfeeding to be easy but find that getting the hang of it can actually be challenging, especially as struggles like breast engorgement can make a new parent feel inadequate, frustrated, or lost. Know that it's not your fault and these are common issues. 17
Complicationsof Breast Engorgement Problems for the Breastfeeding Parent Also, consult your doctor to ensure you have the correct diagnosis to prevent and address these complications, as some of them, like mastitis, need treatment beyond nursing management.7 Consulting a lactation consultant can also make a world of difference. 18
After birth It's normal to have some degree of breast engorgement during the first week or two after the birth of your baby. An increase in blood flow to your breasts along with a surge in your milk supply often results in your breasts getting overly full. Engorgement that happens in this period is often the most intense a mother will experience. The majority of new mothers experience it to some degree. 19
After birth If you're breastfeeding, this stage of breast engorgement typically starts to get better within a few days as your feeding habits take hold and your milk production adjusts to meet your baby's needs. However, you may experience engorgement after this time if you miss a few feedings or pumping sessions. 20
Conclusion Knowing what breast engorgement is, when it's likely to occur. Remember, this condition is temporary and tactics like consistent nursing, fully draining breasts, weaning slowly, nursing equally on each side, and using ice packs or cabbage leaves to help reduce any swelling can help tremendously. 22
References Google.com Wikipedia.org Studymafia.org Slidespanda.com
Thanks To StudyMafia.org
