How many days does the postpartum milk swelling period usually last?

Because the estrogen level in the body changes after pregnancy, a woman's breasts will also secrete breast milk. However, for most mothers, they may experience a painful period of breast engorgement after giving birth. During this period, the breasts will become extremely sensitive, and milk leakage may occur if you are not careful. So under normal circumstances, how long does the breast swelling period after giving birth usually last?

How long does the postpartum milk production period usually take?

The time it takes for milk to swell depends on whether your breast ducts are unobstructed. Generally, 48 to 72 hours after delivery, under the action of prolactin in the body, the mammary alveoli that have developed during pregnancy begin to secrete milk. At the beginning of lactation, the breast blood vessels become congested, the lymphatic vessels dilate and congest, and the breasts gradually swell. If the breast ducts are unobstructed, and the mother brings the baby into the room after breastfeeding, the feeling of milk swelling will be alleviated, and the pain caused by milk swelling will be reduced. However, if the breast ducts are not unobstructed, and the mother does not take measures in advance and does not breastfeed the baby in time, the milk swelling time will be prolonged.

How to relieve pain during postpartum milk swelling?

1 Let your baby suckle as early as possible.

If the baby can have close contact with the mother as soon as possible after delivery and starts sucking breast milk within half an hour after birth, this will not only help the baby eat colostrum which is rich in nutrients and immunoglobulins, but also stimulate the increase of breast milk secretion. Since babies have strong sucking abilities and their little mouths are particularly powerful, breastfeeding can help unclog the mother's milk ducts and allow milk to flow more smoothly.

2. Use hot and cold compresses simultaneously

Hot compress can make the milk lumps blocking the mammary glands unblocked and improve breast circulation. When applying hot compress, be careful to avoid the areola and nipple areas because the skin in these two areas is more tender. The temperature of the hot compress should not be too hot to avoid scalding the skin. If the pain from breast engorgement is very severe, you can also use cold compresses to relieve the pain. Always remember to express the milk before applying cold compress.

3 Correct Ways to Massage

Proper massage can effectively relieve breast engorgement. You can massage after applying hot compress to the breasts. After washing your hands, hold the entire breast, apply even force and gently massage and squeeze from all sides of the breast toward the nipple. This can help unclog the milk ducts and reduce and eliminate skin edema. If you find that a certain part of the breast is particularly swollen and painful during the massage, you can squeeze that area with a little force to expel the accumulated milk to prevent the milk duct in this area from being blocked and causing mastitis.

4. Soak breasts in warm water

If a mother's milk is swollen, she can put a basin of warm water on her knees, bend her upper body to her knees, let her breasts soak in the basin, and gently shake her breasts. Gravity will allow the milk to flow out more easily.

5. Use a breast pump

When your breasts are swollen and painful, you can use a manual or electric breast pump to help express milk. When choosing a breast pump, you should pay attention to the fact that the suction must be moderate and the nipples should not feel any pain when using it. It is recommended to choose an automatic breast pump with the function of adjusting the milk suction intensity.