Engorgement If You’re Not Breastfeeding

Your breasts are programmed to fill (or make that overfill) with milk around the third or fourth postpartum day, whether you plan to use that milk to feed your baby or not. This engorgement can be uncomfortable, even painful-but it’s only temporary.

Milk is produced by your breasts only as needed. If the milk isn’t used, production stops. Though sporadic leaking may continue for several days, or even weeks, severe engorgement shouldn’t last more than 12 to 24 hours. During this time, ice packs, mild pain relievers, and a supportive bra may help. Avoid nipple stimulation, expressing milk, or hot showers, all of which stimulate milk production and keep that painful cycle going longer.