FAQ

Breast Engorgement / Mastitis

What Causes an Engorged Breast?

A breast becomes engorged when there is a rapid increase in the milk supply (often when breast milk first comes in), and the milk is not completely drained in nursing. Breasts will feel tender and hard. Engorgement can also occur when the milk ducts are plugged. There may be spots of dried milk on ducts, which should be cleaned from the nipple.

What Should I Do?

Plugged ducts and engorgement can usually be cleared up within 24-48 hrs.

• It is important to empty the affected breast. Nurse frequently, massaging your breast gently toward the nipple while nursing.
• If it is too painful to nurse, express milk by hand while in a warm shower or tub or hang your breast over the sink and run water over it, as you gently massage toward the nipple.
• Do not wear tight fitting clothes or nipple shields across the breast.
• Warm, moist heat applied with a compress or hot water bottle will help unplug the ducts and ease swelling. Herbs that work well in a breast compress are anti-inflammatory and reduce swelling (comfrey, chamomile, calendula, lavender), increase lymph circulation and drainage (cleavers, burdock root, yarrow), and draw out infection (slippery elm, marshmallow root). Mullein leaf relieves pain. Pour boiling water over the herbs and steep 10-15 minutes. When cool enough to touch, apply herbs as a poultice, or dip a cotton cloth in the warm infusion, wring it out and wrap around the breast and under the armpit. Keep the poultice on until it cools. Reapply throughout the day. If infection is present, a clean poultice or cloth should be used every time. See Motherlove's Breast-Ease.
• Try a grated potato or cabbage leaves on an engorged breast to draw out inflammation. It can be mixed with hot water or applied cold, whichever feels better.
• A home remedy that has been used successfully to unplug ducts is to drink a small amount of undiluted apple cider vinegar.

What is Mastitis?

Mastits is an engorged breast that is accompanied by infection, high fever, and flu-like symptoms. The breast is more painful and hard, and may be streaked with red. Mastitis can become very serious. Seek medical attention if the infection persists.

What Should I Do?

It is very important to rest! Mastitis commonly occurs when one is overtired and not taking the time to rest.

Continue to express milk by nursing or by hand. Apply moist heat and compresses as described with plugged ducts.

Drink plenty of fluids - herb teas, nutritional broths and soups. Useful herb teas include yarrow and elderflower to break a fever.

Take an echinacea tincture every 2-4 hours along with Vitamin C to fight infection.

Homeopathic Phytolacca works very well for most women.

Where can I find more information?

For further reading, we suggest the books listed on our Resource Page under the category of "Women's Health, Pregnancy and Lactation."