Natural Remedies for Breast Engorgement

Symptoms - The tissues in the breast swell. They feel full, hard, tender and tight. The skin of the breast is shiny, hot, and distended. You may have a low-grade fever.

Causes - Especially during the first two weeks, there is an increased blood supply to the breast; and newly produced milk is placing pressure on the breast.

Natural Remedies

• Until engorgement ends (usually within two weeks), give your baby short, frequent feedings every 1 1/2 to 2 hours, day and night. Express (pump out) milk between feedings, to relieve pressure.
• Apply moist heat to the engorged breast (or breasts) for 30 minutes before each feeding. While the infant is nursing, massage the breast to help get the milk flowing.
• Feed your baby whenever he wants it. Do not delay doing this.
• Do not feed your baby anything else (except clean water) during this initial engorgement period. Let him empty each breast completely at each feeding. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, newborns should nurse 8-12 times every 24 hours; continue nursing each time until the baby is satisfied, which is usually 10-15 minutes on each side.
• Do not give him formula or sugary water.
• To reduce milk supply (or the pain of breast engorgement), the herb, goldenrod, is helpful. (But do not take it if you are allergic to that herb.)
• Research studies have found that, because of a stillbirth or neonatal death, the flow of breast milk was suppressed (reduced or stopped) by placing jasmine flowers on the area. They are held in place with tape. Each breast had 50 cm. of stringed flowers applied to it. This lowers serum prolactin levels.