Breast Engorgement in the First Week of Breastfeeding: What It Is and How to Relieve It
- jaimiezaki
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
How to fix breast engorgement during the first week postpartum so breastfeeding doesn't hurt & you can protect your milk supply
Breast engorgement during the first week of breastfeeding is one of the most common postpartum experiences and the start of many feeding challenges. Many mothers are told that pain is “normal,” that their milk came in “too strong,” or that pumping is the solution. In reality, engorgement is a temporary physiological process that can be managed safely when you understand what’s actually happening. When you know how to navigate engorgement, you can reduce latching issues and protect your milk supply without stress, overwhelm and worry.
Note: This blog post is a summary of the following podcast. For deeper connection, conversation, explanations and context, be sure to LISTEN to the "How to reduce breast engorgement after your baby is born" on the Breastfeeding with Confidence Podcast now!
What Is Breast Engorgement?
Breast engorgement is not simply “too much milk.” It’s a combination of:
Increased milk volume
Increased blood flow
Lymphatic fluid
Inflammation
Interstitial fluid (especially after IV fluids in labor)
Breast engorgement can make breasts feel hard, tight, hot, shiny, and painful — even if milk supply is normal or low.
Why Breast Engorgement Happens in the First Week
During the first week, most mothers think breast engorgement is caused by your milk "coming in" -- but the truth is that breast engorgement is a combination of factors.
Yes - your milk does increase in volume during the first 3-5 days -- but the enlarged, sore, and warm breasts are usually caused by the increase of blood flow, lymphatic fluid, and inflammatory responses to the changes your body is experiencing.
Women who experienced longer, more complicated labors or surgical deliveries with many medications and more IV fluids often experience more intense engorgement than mothers who had lower intervention births.
Is Breast Engorgement a Sign of Oversupply?
No. Some mothers with low supply experience severe engorgement, while others with oversupply do not. Engorgement is about fluid dynamics and inflammation, not just milk volume.
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How Engorgement Affects Latch and Milk Supply
When the breast is swollen and the areola becomes firm, babies struggle to latch deeply. A shallow latch means that mom will likely experience painful latching and baby will likely struggle to effectively remove milk. This, in turn, can lead to lower milk supply, poor weight gain, and perceived need for formula supplementation.
Knowing how to manage breast engorgement can help your baby latch without pain, and transfer milk bettter to protect your milk supply from the beginning, and avoid unnecessary formula supplementing.
How to Relieve Breast Engorgement Safely
Effective strategies include:
Feeding early and often (8–12 times per day - closer to 12!!!)
Softening the areola before latching (this is called Reverse Pressure Softening!)
Using warmth before feeds and cold after
Gentle lymphatic massage toward the armpit (no deep or aggressive pressure massaging!)
Hand expression for comfort instead of aggressive pumping
The goal is milk movement, not over-stimulation.
What to Avoid When You’re Engorged
Avoid:
Rigid feeding schedules
Over-pumping “to empty”
Aggressive breast massage tools
Ignoring latch difficulty caused by swelling
When to Get Help for Breast Engorgement
If engorgement isn’t improving within a few days, or if you’re experiencing worsening pain, fever, or repeated latch issues, skilled lactation support can make a critical difference. Breastfeeding doesn’t have to hurt to be normal — and engorgement doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. When you know how to manage common early feeding challenges, you can avoid the most common breastfeeding mistakes and set yourself up for breastfeeding success!
This episode of the Breastfeeding with Confidence Podcast & Blog is brought to you by Restorative Roots.
Restorative Roots delivers organic, traditional-style freezer meals straight to your door, so you can nourish your body, rest, heal, and truly thrive in the fourth trimester. Whether you’re pregnant and want your freezer stocked for those early weeks, or your baby is already here and you just need something more, visit restorativeroots.com.
Jaimie Zaki is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and mom of 5! Jaimie has volunteered as a La Leche League Leader, worked as a nurse, doula, and birth photographer, and is the host of the Breastfeeding With Confidence Podcast and founder of the Confident MamaBear Society. Jaimie provides holistic breastfeeding advice for pregnant & new moms, helping them overcome unexpected latching trouble and milk supply issues. She empowers mothers to make informed decisions from a place of confidence and intuition.
