Breast engorgement
December 7, 2021

Once you have given birth, your breasts are given a signal to start to produce milk. Blood flows to your breasts, and your milk usually comes in 1 to 4 days after birth. Breast engorgement is when your breasts get full and sore, which is common in the early days and weeks of breastfeeding.


You may notice your breasts will become to feel very full, hard and painful. Your nipples may also appear flattened and tight.

So why does engorgement happen? It usually occurs if your baby is not feeding properly, so the milk that is produced builds up. This is usually temporary – eventually you will produce just as much milk as your baby needs.


How to reduce the chance of breast engorgement:

  • You should feed your baby often and on demand (not by the clock)
  • Avoid giving your baby any fluids other than breast milk (unless medically required)
  • Don’t limit your baby’s time at the breast


To relieve breast engorgement, the best thing to do is to empty the breast, either by feeding your baby directly or by expressing your milk.


Some other tips to relieve breast engorgement include:

  • Take off your bra before breastfeeding & leave it off
  • Have a warm shower before you feed or apply a warm washer to the breast
  • Hand-express some milk before feeding your baby
  • Try applying pressure around the nipples to push fluid back into the breasts
  • While your baby is feeding, gently massage the breast in a downward motion from the chest wall toward the nipple
  • If inflamed, place a chilled gel pack or washed cabbage leaf over the breast
  • If you breasts still feel full after your baby feeds, express milk either by hand or with a breast pump


If you are still uncomfortable or if the engorgement does not improve, ask your doctor for advice!

Call POGS on (08) 6270 0123 or email: reception@pogs.com.au if you need to make an appointment.

Difference between NIPT & genetic pre-natal carrier screening test

April 24, 2024
What is the difference between the non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) & the genetic pre-natal carrier screening test?

CMV Fact Sheet

November 29, 2023
Find out more about cytomegalovirus (CMV) by downloading our FACT SHEET. Call POGS on (08) 6270 0123 or email: reception@pogs.com.au if you need to make an appointment.

Endometriosis Symptoms

December 7, 2021
Endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue (similar to the lining of your uterus) grows outside of your uterine cavity. This is a common gynaecological condition which affects up to 10% of women. Hormonal changes (throughout your menstrual cycle) affect the misplaced tissue, causing the area to become inflamed & painful.

Nausea & Vomiting in Pregnancy

December 7, 2021
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is a common conditions, with approximately 50% of women experiencing nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. Often called “morning sickness”, this can actually occur at any time of the day.

Early pregnancy symptoms

December 7, 2021
For some women, symptoms of pregnancy appear in the first few weeks after conception. Most aren’t unique to pregnancy & can appear similar to pre-menstrual discomforts. As a guide, however, read more about the symptoms you might experience.

Caesarean Sections – The Journey

December 7, 2021
The first six weeks postpartum is considered a “recovery” period due to the high level of strain your body has been put through – no matter how you gave birth! Looking after a new baby is hard for all parents, but it can be harder when you are recovering from a caesarean section.

Pregnancy Safety Tips

November 25, 2021
Check out a few tips to stay safe at the beginning stages of your pregnancy. Read more about the post.

Constipation in pregnancy

November 25, 2021
Pregnancy hormones are the culprit behind constipation, which is a common pregnancy problem. This is due to increasing progesterone levels which cause the muscles in your bowels to relax – meaning food hangs around longer in the digestive tract.

How to keep your baby safe while sleeping

November 16, 2021
You may already know that the most important tip to keep your baby safe while sleeping is to keep them on their back – a recommendation that has contributed to an 85% reduction in SIDS deaths since the ’90s. Check out a few tips to ensure you always create a safe sleeping environment for your baby- day & night.

Common newborn characteristics

November 2, 2021
You may be curious about your baby’s appearance directly after birth. Below are some common elements of what you might expect your newborn baby to have. Many of these will diminish as your baby grows but if you have any specific concerns about these characteristics in your baby, do not hesitate to reach out to us for advice!
More Posts