Women & Children's nursery offers the Medela Breast Pump for rent, as well as many other supplies and accessories for rent or purchase. The pump is small, portable, and easy to operate. Breast feeding educators are available during your stay to help with technique and positioning. Please call 475-4171 for pricing and rental information.

Continue reading for tips on prevention and treatment of Breast Engorgement.

Proceeding the first week after delivery, as the colastrum is changing to milk, your breasts may become full. This normal postpartum fullness usually goes away within 3-5 days. Engorgement may develop if your baby does not adequately remove the milk from your breasts. If this happens your breasts will feel hard, painful and hot.

To prevent engorgement try the following tips:

• Breastfeed your baby frequently, 8-12 times in a 24 hour period.
• Avoid giving your baby water or formula as a substitute for the first 3-4 weeks unless medically indicated.
• If you miss any feedings, express your milk manually or with an electric breast pump.
• When attempting to wean your baby, do it gradually.

Treatment for the engorged breast:

• Apply hot moist towels to your breast for 3-5 minutes, or take a hot shower before nursing your baby.
• Try to hand express some milk to soften the areola after moist heat. This will make it easier for the baby to attach to the breast.
• Use gentle breast massage just before and during breastfeeding.
• Apply icy cold compression to your breast after nursing to relieve discomfort and decrease swelling.
• If your baby takes to only one breast, hand express or use an electric breast pump to empty the milk from the other breast during this engorgement period.
• Avoid bottles, pacifiers and nipple shields.