The Good Start Guide to Breastfeeding

If your breasts become engorged when your milk comes in a few days after birth, soaking in a very warm bath or shower can bring some relief. Some women find that ice, wrapped in a soft washcloth, is very soothing. Green cabbage leaves placed on your breasts can, surprisingly, be a wonderful help for engorged breasts (look at it this way: there are no side effects and if it doesn't work for you, you've only spent about $.50! But, moms who are allergic to sulfa drugs may experience redness or rashiness, so best to avoid if there is a history of allergy.) Resist the temptation to pump lots of milk out. This is a special time for your body and your baby to work out just how much milk you need to make, and pumping at this time only confuses your body by telling it to make evan more milk than you already have. By all means, though, do nurse frequently, and, if your breasts are overly full and your baby can't latch on easily, pump just enough milk out so that your baby can nurse.