Most women will feel their breasts get large, full, heavy, and tender about 2 to 5 days after giving birth.
This feeling of breast fullness is normal. It is the result of increased milk supply – which is good! Breastfeeding your baby often will relieve this feeling of fullness.
Engorgement is different than normal breast fullness.
Engorgement happens if your breasts become overly full. This causes pain, swelling, warmth, redness, throbbing, and hardness of breasts. It may also cause a low-grade fever and can lead to plugged milk ducts or a breast infection.
If your baby is latched on and sucking well, allow them to nurse for as long as they like on the first breast before offering the second breast.
If you miss a feeding, pump, or hand express to relieve fullness.
Supplementing may reduce your milk supply and cause excess fullness due to missed feedings.
