Breastmilk engorgement is a common breastfeeding problem. In the time leading up to birth, a pregnant woman's breasts prepare to produce breastmilk. Lactation can begin during the pregnancy itself or shortly after birth, in time to feed the newborn. Engorgement occurs when the mother's breasts produce milk faster than the baby consumes it.
Engorgement can be painful and distressing to the mother and interfere with the baby's ability to attach correctly to the breast and feed.
The secretion of milk from mammary glands in the breast.
This can occur in the first few days after birth, as your body and your baby are still sorting out the breastfeeding process. This is normal and usually resolves on its own after a few days. [1]
This can occur at any time during the breastfeeding period, for a number of reasons, including:
Transferring a baby from a diet of only breastmilk or formula to other types of foods, such as solids.
Mangesi, L. and Dowswell, T. (2010) Treatments for breast engorgement during lactation. In The Cochrane Collaboration (ed.), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Accessed from
A normal full breast is warm and tender to the touch. The skin may look marbled (blood vessels showing), and milk flows from it easily.
An engorged breast is hot, hard and painful to the touch, the skin can look shiny and reddish, and milk does not flow easily from it. [1] [2]
An engorged breast is overfull with breastmilk and can be painful.
Mangesi, L. and Dowswell, T. (2010) Treatments for breast engorgement during lactation. In The Cochrane Collaboration (ed.), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Accessed from
Pollard, M. (2011) Evidence-based care for breastfeeding mothers. A resource for midwives and allied health professionals. London: Routledge.
Some feeding methods that can help you to relieve engorgement include: [3] [4]
When an engorged breast becomes painful and difficult for the baby to latch on to, expressing some milk from it ('milking' the breast) can provide relief. It is better to express only until the breast stops becoming hard and painful, since an 'empty' breast is a signal for the body to make more breastmilk. Expressing a little milk from an engorged breast just before a feed can also help your baby attach better.
During or just before feeding, warm compresses applied to the breast can aid the let-down reflex and encourage a better flow of milk.
Milk production is stimulated when the nipples are touched and rubbed, in the way a feeding baby does. Avoiding clothes rubbing against your nipples between feeds will help prevent milk leaking and the breasts producing more milk.
Drinking less fluids will not affect your milk production.
The release of milk from the nipple during breastfeeding, in response to sucking at the breast or other similar stimuli. The reflex is mediated by release of two hormones into the bloodstream - one hormone (prolactin) acts on the milk-making tissues and the other (oxytocin) causes the breast to release the milk.
Mangesi, L. and Dowswell, T. (2010) Treatments for breast engorgement during lactation. In The Cochrane Collaboration (ed.), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Accessed from
Murtagh, J., MD. (2011) John Murtagh’s General Practice (5th Revised edition edition.). North Ryde, N.S.W.: McGraw-Hill Medical Publishing.
A firm supporting bra will put pressure on your breasts and prevent the pain and discomfort of engorged breasts moving.
Icepacks and compresses placed on or around your breasts between feedings can help relieve pain. Cold green cabbage leaves used in the same way are equally effective - and for some women, more comfortable [5] [6] . There is no firm evidence that cabbage leaves reduce engorgement more quickly than any other substance. [7]
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe you pain-relief and anti-inflammatory medications to help with engorgement
Engorgement. Australian Breastfeeding Association. Accessed 19 November 2014, from
Roberts, K.L. (1995) A comparison of chilled cabbage leaves and chilled gelpaks in reducing breast engorgement. Journal of Human Lactation: Official Journal of International Lactation Consultant Association 11:17–20.
Nikodem, V.C., Danziger, D., Gebka, N., et al. (1993) Do cabbage leaves prevent breast engorgement? A randomized, controlled study. Birth 20:61–64.
If breastmilk engorgement is not treated, complications can include:
Mangesi, L. and Dowswell, T. (2010) Treatments for breast engorgement during lactation. In The Cochrane Collaboration (ed.), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Accessed from
Pollard, M. (2011) Evidence-based care for breastfeeding mothers. A resource for midwives and allied health professionals. London: Routledge.
Mangesi, L. and Dowswell, T. (2010) Treatments for breast engorgement during lactation. In The Cochrane Collaboration (ed.), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Accessed from
Pollard, M. (2011) Evidence-based care for breastfeeding mothers. A resource for midwives and allied health professionals. London: Routledge.
Pollard, M. (2011) Evidence-based care for breastfeeding mothers. A resource for midwives and allied health professionals. London: Routledge.
The feeding methods mentioned above for treating engorgement will help prevent your breasts becoming engorged in the first place.
Correct attachment of the baby to the breast is a crucial part of successful breastfeeding. A well-attached baby will suckle easily, ensuring a good milk flow. For the mother, good attachment can often prevent engorgement as well as other problems such as sore or cracked nipples, mastitis and blocked milk ducts.
Correct attachment to the breast is a major factor in successful breastfeeding. A correctly attached baby has their mouth wide open, chin and nose pressed against the breast, and the nipple deep inside their mouth.
The pigmented area of the breast containing the milk ducts, through which breastmilk flows in breastfeeding mothers.