What Is Breast Congestion? Causes, Treatment And Complications
Breast congestion, breast engorgement, or “crumpled milk” is a common problem when it is produced, known as “milk rise”, that is, when you move to the second stage of breastfeeding. In this second phase, transitional milk arrives, a mixture between colostrum and mature milk. The volume of milk in the breasts is responsible for breast congestion.
With breast congestion, the breasts become hard, swollen and painful due to the large amount of breast milk. You
breasts
congested can get too big, and too tight. Swelling can enlarge the armpit and the veins on the surface of the breasts, they can become more visible, or even protrude.
Breast congestion is common after your baby is born
It is normal to have some degree of breast congestion in the first or second week after the baby is born. The increase in blood flow to the breasts along with the increase in their production of
breast milk
can make the breasts feel heavy and full.
If a woman is breastfeeding her baby, this stage of breast congestion begins to improve within a few days of starting breastfeeding, as milk production adjusts to meet the baby’s needs.
However, deciding not to breastfeed the baby will not prevent the phase of breast congestion. This is because the mother’s body does not yet know that she is not going to breastfeed the
drink
, so it will produce milk in the same way.
Usually, breast congestion will appear between the third and fifth day after delivery. If the mother who does not want to breastfeed her baby does not stop milk production with medication, her body will gradually stop producing milk, so this uncomfortable and painful phase of congestion should last for a few days.
It should also be noted that breast congestion can also occur after the first few weeks; for example, if the mother skips a baby’s feed or a breast pump, or if the milk released from one or both breasts is drastically reduced. That’s why it’s important to take good care of feedings and balance the
breast-feeding
and/or extraction in both breasts. 
The malaise related to milk
Breast congestion during the first week of breastfeeding may be associated with fever and a general feeling of tiredness and malaise. While it’s not always like this, it’s perfectly normal.
If during the days following childbirth a woman has a
temperature
high body and does not show signs of infection, the common is that the cause is the increase of milk in the breasts.
If the reason for the fever is high milk, there is no problem with breastfeeding the baby. But keep in mind that fever can also be due to mastitis. While it is possible to breastfeed a baby with mastitis in most cases it is important to see a doctor to assess the situation. If it is mastitis, it is necessary to take measures so that it does not get complicated.
How to treat breast congestion
It is important to treat breast congestion to avoid pain and, above all, possible complications. Breast congestion can be easily treated, whatever the cause, in the following ways:
● Breastfeed the
drink
often, even if you have to wake him up
● Allow your baby to nurse for as long as you like, at least 20 minutes.
● Extract some breast milk before each feeding to relieve some stress, soften the breast, and make it easier for the baby to grasp the nipple.
● Massage the breast during a feed to help release more milk.
● After each meal, place a cold compress on your breasts to relieve pain and inflammation.
● Switch between different breastfeeding positions, thus draining all areas of the breasts.
● Start feedings on one side each time to balance the release of milk.
● Do not give the baby formula milk at any feed or water between feeds.
● Take a hot bath or put warm compresses on your breasts before feedings to facilitate the let-down reflex and the flow of milk.
● Sleep and
rest
enough (no excuses).
