How to Ease Sore, Swollen Breasts While Breastfeeding

You’ve made it through pregnancy, your baby is here, and now you’re figuring out breastfeeding. Then out of nowhere, your breasts feel sore, swollen, and painfully hard. Sound familiar? That tight, overwhelming sensation is most likely breast engorgement—and trust me, you’re not the only one dealing with it.

Engorgement is super common in the early days of breastfeeding, and it can catch you off guard. This guide breaks down the symptoms of engorgement, how to tell it apart from other issues, and what you can do right now to feel better—safely and gently.

What Is Breast Engorgement?

Breast engorgement happens when your breasts become overly full of milk, blood, and other fluids. It usually shows up in the first week after giving birth—often around days 3 to 5—when your milk “comes in.” Your colostrum transitions into mature milk, and with it, your breasts may feel sore and swollen. Engorgement can affect one or both breasts and might even cause swelling near your armpits.

This isn’t just about milk production—it’s also your body adjusting to inflammation, blood flow, and new feeding rhythms. The result? Swollen, sore, tight breasts that feel uncomfortable.

Symptoms of Engorgement You Should Know

So how do you know it’s engorgement? These are the telltale signs:

• Breasts feel overly full, swollen, or tight
• Skin may look shiny or stretched, especially around the areola
• Nipples may flatten or feel tight, making latching difficult
• Breasts are hard and tender to the touch
• Warmth or redness on the breasts
• Throbbing or aching sensations
• Baby struggles to latch or seems frustrated
• Low-grade fever (under 100.4°F/38°C)

Engorgement symptoms may show up more intensely in moms who’ve had previous children, those with smaller breast storage capacity, or those with a history of breast surgery.

If you’re experiencing any of these and aren’t sure if it’s engorgement or something more serious (like plugged ducts or mastitis), keep reading.

Engorgement vs. Other Breastfeeding Problems

It’s easy to confuse engorgement with other issues like plugged ducts or mastitis, but knowing the difference matters.

• Plugged Duct: Typically, a plugged duct feels like one sore, firm lump in the breast. It’s usually localized—meaning you’ll notice tenderness or discomfort in just one spot, not the whole breast. The area might feel warm or look slightly red, but you’ll generally feel fine otherwise—no fever, chills, or flu-like symptoms. The lump often shows up when milk isn’t draining well, like after a skipped feeding, poor latch, or tight clothing pressing on the breast. With frequent nursing, gentle massage, and warm compresses, most plugged ducts clear within a day or two.
• Mastitis: Usually includes fever over 100.4°F, flu-like symptoms, and more intense, localized pain.
• Engorgement: Both breasts often feel swollen, warm, and sore; symptoms usually improve with regular feeding and care.

When in doubt—or if things worsen—check in with a lactation consultant or your healthcare provider.

Things That Can Make Breast Engorgement Worse

• Being separated from your baby in the early days
• Delayed breastfeeding initiation
• Receiving IV fluids during labor (which increases overall breast swelling)
• Giving baby formula supplementation in the first few days
• Baby has a weak latch or sucking issue
• Poor breastfeeding positioning, causing incomplete milk removal
• Following a timed feeding schedule instead of feeding on demand
• Allowing baby to fall asleep before draining the breast
• Using pacifiers or artificial nipples too early
• Not offering both breasts during feeding or switching too soon
• Having smaller breasts, which often means less milk storage and more frequent feeds
• Sudden changes in baby’s feeding patterns (like sleeping longer stretches)
• Past breast surgeries that affect milk flow

These aren’t reasons to panic—but they are signals that you may need extra support.

Safe, Gentle Ways to Relieve Sore, Swollen Breasts

You don’t have to tough it out. These are simple, safe ways to get relief:

• Breastfeed frequently: Aim for 8–12 feeds every 24 hours, even overnight. Frequent feeding is the most natural way to keep milk moving and prevent excessive build-up in the breast.
• Ensure a deep latch: A shallow latch can make milk removal inefficient and painful. If baby’s lips aren’t flanged outward or their chin isn’t touching your breast, it’s worth adjusting.
• Try reverse pressure softening: Use gentle finger pressure around the nipple to move fluid back into the breast before latching. The Australian Breastfeeding Association offers a step-by-step guide on how to do this safely.
• Use cold compresses between feeds: Cool packs or chilled cabbage leaves can help reduce swelling and numb pain. Apply for 10–15 minutes between feedings.
• Apply warmth before feeding: A warm cloth or brief warm shower can help trigger your letdown reflex and get milk flowing.
• Massage gently while feeding: Use circular motions from the outer breast toward the nipple to help milk move through the ducts and relieve pressure.
• Pump or hand express a small amount of milk: If your baby can’t latch because you’re too full, expressing a little milk beforehand can soften the area and make it easier for baby to latch effectively.
• Use breast compressions during feeding: Gently squeeze the breast while baby is actively sucking to increase milk flow and help them drain the breast more efficiently.
• Try dangle feeding: This position involves leaning over your baby so gravity helps milk drain downward. It can be especially helpful if you’re feeling pressure or fullness in specific areas of the breast.
• Check your pump flange size: A poorly fitted flange can cause pain and reduce milk output. Make sure the nipple moves freely without rubbing.
• Stay hydrated: Drink water consistently. Dehydration can make engorgement worse by affecting milk flow and increasing inflammation.
• Ultrasound therapy may reduce severe swelling: In stubborn cases, therapeutic ultrasound (administered by a physical therapist or lactation professional) can help reduce inflammation and improve milk drainage. Ask your healthcare provider if this is available near you.

Skip breast binding and don’t skip feedings—these things can actually make sore, swollen breasts worse.

How to Prevent Sore, Swollen Breasts (Engorgement)

Sometimes, you can head off engorgement before it really takes hold. Here’s what helps:

• Feed as early as possible after birth
• Watch baby’s hunger cues instead of the clock
• Let baby fully drain one breast before switching
• Wake baby to feed if they nurse fewer than 8 times in 24 hours
• Avoid early formula supplementation unless medically needed
• Don’t rely on pacifiers early on if milk removal is a concern
• Go slow with weaning—drop one feed at a time

These habits help your body regulate milk supply while keeping you more comfortable.

Final Thoughts

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or your symptoms aren’t getting better, reach out. A lactation consultant can help you sort out what’s going on and create a plan that works.

Engorgement is uncomfortable, but it’s also a sign that your body is starting to produce what your baby needs. It might feel tough now, but smoother days are coming. You’re doing great.

Resources

• Find a breastfeeding support group near you.
• Milkology Breastfeeding Class – Affordable, video-based online course to help you master breastfeeding at your own pace.

References

• ABM Clinical Protocol. Engorgement (Revised 2016) — Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. This clinical protocol is one of the most authoritative, evidence-based resources available. It outlines the causes, prevention, and treatment of engorgement in detail, and it’s written by leading breastfeeding specialists. Excellent for backing up key advice like frequent feeding, reverse pressure softening, and the importance of latch.
• Engorgement — Australian Breastfeeding Association. This mom-friendly resource offers practical strategies in plain English. It includes clear descriptions of reverse pressure softening, how to differentiate fullness from engorgement, and how feeding patterns affect symptoms. It’s especially aligned with your audience’s needs: informative but not clinical.
• Treatments for Breast Engorgement During Lactation — PMC (Zakarija-Grkovic & Stewart, 2021). This peer-reviewed journal article reviews the effectiveness of various treatments—cold packs, massage, ultrasound therapy, and cabbage leaves. It’s perfect for reinforcing which remedies are truly supported by research, helping you cut through conflicting advice moms often find online.