Engorgement and Breast Fullness

Aside from sore and cracked nipples, here's another breastfeeding problems and solutions that you may want to look at.

Breast fullness usually occurs 2-4 days after birth. The breasts becomes swollen and are hot and painful to touch.

To relieve breast fullness and engorgement try the following:

• Frequent feeding, making sure your baby is attached well to avoid sore, cracked nipples.
• Gently expressing enough milk to soften the areola if it is too swollen to enable baby to get onto the breast correctly.
• Using different feeding positions or try to feed lying down.
• Warm showers before feeding.
• Applying cool face cloths or flannels on the breasts between feeds.
• Wearing comfortable, non-restrictive, supportive bra.
• Taking paracetamol as directed on the packet for pain. Prolonged (for more than a couple of days) or excessive use may be harmful, so see your health professional if pain continues. 

Source: Plunket, New Zealand