Tender breasts

A few days after birth, you might experience full, firm, tender breasts (engorgement). Frequent breast-feeding on both breasts is recommended to avoid or minimize engorgement.

If your breasts — including the dark circles of skin around the nipples — are engorged, your baby might have difficulty latching. To help your baby latch, you might hand express or use a breast pump to express a small amount of breast milk before feeding your baby. To ease breast discomfort, apply warm washcloths or take a warm shower before breast-feeding or expressing, which might make milk removal easier. Between feedings, place cold washcloths on your breasts. Over-the-counter pain relievers might help, too.

If you're not breast-feeding, wear a supportive bra, such as a sports bra. Don't pump your breasts or express the milk, which will cause your breasts to produce more milk.