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Breastfeeding Help Videos
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Engorgement
Breast fullness, or "milk coming in", usually occurring between days 3-5 after delivery. This is caused by tissue swelling in the breast and milk coming to volume. The goal during this time is to decrease tissue swelling to allow the milk to be removed effectively.
- Continue to nurse and/or pump normally on demand following baby's feeding cues
- Apply ice/cabbage leaves on the breast. The cool temperature will help decrease swelling. Cabbage leaves are a great tool because they aren't very cold, they shape well to cover the breast, and as they start to warm you will be reminded to replace it with fresh cabbage by the cabbage wilting and beginning to smell.
- Take your Ibuprofen every 6-8 hours and Tylenol as needed. Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory medicine that will help work to decrease swelling. Tylenol can be used in addition to Ibuprofen for any discomfort you may have.
- Perform lymphatic breast massage to move inflammation and excess fluid into the lymphatic system for drainage. Use gentle stroking of the breast when performing this.
- Avoid heat on the breast and hard massage as this will increase tissue swelling and lead to worsening engorgement.
- Meet with an IBCLC for them to observe a feeding and /or pumping session to be sure milk is being effectively removed from the breast.