2. DEFINITION
• Breast engorgement occurs in
the mammary glands due to
expansion and pressure exerted by
the synthesis and storage of breast
milk
• It is also a main factor in altering
the ability of the infant to latch-on.
4. • Engorgement changes the shape
and curvature of the nipple
region by making the breast
inflexible, flat, hard, and
swollen.
5. • The nipples on an
engorged breast
are flat or
inverted.
Sometimes it may
lead to striae on
nipples, mainly a
preceding
symptom of
septation mastitis
6. CAUSES
• Breast engorgement is due to
exaggerated normal venous and
lymphatic engorgement of the
breasts which precedes lactation.
This in turn prevents escape of milk
from the lacteal system.
7. • The primiparous mother and the
patient with inelastic breasts are
likely to be involved
8. • Engorgement usually happens
when the breasts switch
from colostrum to mature milk
(often referred to as when the
milk "comes in")
9. • However, engorgement can also
happen later if lactating women
miss several nursings and not
enough milk is expressed from
the breasts.
10. • It can be exacerbated by
insufficient breastfeeding and/or
blocked milk ducts
• When engorged the breasts may
swell, throb, and cause mild to
extreme pain
11. ONSET
• It usually manifests after the
milk secretion starts ( 3rd or 4th
day postpartum)
12. • Engorgement may lead
to mastitis (inflammation of the
breast) and untreated
engorgement puts pressure on
the milk ducts, often causing a
plugged duct
13. • The woman will often feel a
lump in one part of the breast
and the skin in that area may be
red and/or warm
14. • If it continues unchecked, the
plugged duct can become a
breast infection, at which point
she may have a fever or flu-like
symptoms
16. • Generalized malaise or even
transient rise of temperature
• Painful breast feeding
17. • Breasts are swollen
and oedematous, and the skin
appearing shiny and diffusely red
The woman may have a fever that
usually subsides in 24 hours.
• The nipples may become stretched
tight and flat which makes it
difficult for the baby to attach and
remove the milk.
18. PREVENTION
• To avoid pre lacteal feeds
• To initiate breastfeeding early
and feeding at frequent intervals
22. • Warm compress may be applied to
the breast or a warm shower
before expressing, helps the milk
to flow
• The mother can use cold
compresses after feeding or
expressing, which helps to reduce
the oedema
23. • The baby should be put to the
breast regularly after manual
expression of milk
• To support the breasts with a
binder or brassiere
25. • Regular breastfeeding can and
should be continued
• Manual expression of any
remaining milk after each feed
and keeping the interval short
between feeds
30. MEDICAL TREATMENT
• Medical methods include
administration of proteolytic
enzymes such as serrapeptase,
protease, and subcutaneous
oxytocin.
31. • To administer tablet
bromocripine 2.5 mg daily for 2-
3 days in obstinate cases where
the breasts remain tight in spite
of suckling and expression
• Analgesics may also be
administered
