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Top Tips to Clear Breast Engorgement

Image by oksanahufrych from Canva

All breastfeeding mothers I have spoken to have at some point experienced engorgement. I intermittently develop engorgement, with the worst bout lasting for nearly 5 days! After trying all sorts of remedies, here are the 4 best things that worked for me:

1. Nurse or pump ASAP

Nothing beats the baby at emptying the breast. If you are engorged, nurse as soon as you can! I also found that varying the position of nursing depending on where the clogged duct was to be helpful. Pumping ASAP is the next best thing to do. Combining it with heat and a lactation massage (see below) bolsters the chances of clearing the engorgement.


2. Use heat

Don’t underestimate the power of heat at opening up a clogged duct. Whenever I warmed my breast, engorgements could be cleared much more effectively. One method I’ve tried is taking a hot shower or bath and manually expressing. Sometimes, I also use a warm towel to cover the breast and nipple for a few minutes prior to pumping /nursing. However, the downside of using a warm towel is that it gets messy (water dripping everywhere!) and I can’t really use it concurrently with a pump.

A friend introduced Lansinoh Therapearl 3-in-1 Breast Therapy which I use every time I find myself engorged. It heats quickly in the microwave , has good heat retention, and is great for warming the breast and nipple. I like to use it before massaging and also use it concurrently while pumping.





3. Lactation massage

I’ve learnt at least 4 different ways of massaging from various people and TBH, they are all about the same (in terms of effectiveness at clearing a clogged duct). Just stick to whichever massage technique works best for you. I always combine a massage with the other remedies listed in this post for best results.  YouTube is a great resource for lactation massage tutorials you can easily look up!


4, Use the Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump


This is in my list of essential breastfeeding items and has been a godsend In helping me clear engorgements. Simply fill it up with warm water, apply it to the breast, and let the heat and suction do its magic. Combine with a lactation massage for maximum effect. I love this product so much I’ve dedicated an entire blog post to it. Refer to the post for more deets on how to use the Haakaa breast pump!


if you are still having persistent trouble clearing engorgement, seek professional help from a lactation consultant. Don’t let the engorgement turn into a mastitis! 

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