Exactly What To Do When Your Milk Comes In

August 23, 2022 Stacey Stewart

When your milk comes in (around days 2-5 postpartum), things can get crazy pretty fast!

It may leave you with some noticeable symptoms and leave you wondering how to handle all these changes.

Let’s dive in. You’ll learn 17 step-by-step strategies to deal with your breast milk coming in so you can breastfeed like a champ!

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Common Symptoms of your milk coming:

Enlarged, full, heavy, leaky, swollen breasts. This is called engorgement and is completely normal when your milk comes in.
Flat and tight nipples. Firmness around the areola may make it difficult for your baby to latch.
Significant increase in both volume and composition of breast milk. Your body transitions from producing colostrum (the first yellowish milk you produce in small quantities) to more mature breast milk.

Why Am I Engorged?

Once your baby is born, no matter if it was vaginal or by belly, your breasts are given a signal to go into full-on “milk production mode.”

Your body ramps up its milk making and directs extra blood and fluids to your breasts to boost milk production.

There is a spectrum of engorgement. Some women experience extreme engorgement and others barely notice it.

There are things you should do when your milk comes in to help alleviate discomfort and maximize your chances of breastfeeding success.

17 Things To Do When Your Milk Comes In

The 2 main goals to have after your milk comes in is to reduce breast swelling + keep the milk flowin’!

By removing milk from your breast, blood circulation will improve and swelling will naturally reduce.

Beyond that, here are some tips and tricks of what to do when your milk comes in…

Take Your Bra Off For Awhile!

Take those tatas out and let them breathe!

Not wearing a bra will help you feel more comfortable and will entice your baby to latch on more often as you get used to breastfeeding with more milk.

Express A Bit

Hand express or pump out a small amount of breast milk before feeding to take the edge off. This will soften the areola just enough to make it easier for baby to latch.

Expect leakage

Some women leak a little, some leak A LOT. Expect leakage throughout the day, and particularly overnight.

The best thing you can do is invest in some high quality, reusable breast pads.

Our favorite breast pads are THESE because they’re super affordable, you can re-use them a million times, and they’re leak proof!

Practice laid-back breastfeeding

By breastfeeding in a reclined position, gravity will assist you by making your milk flow out more slowly. This will prevent baby from choking on gushing milk and help them have more control as they handle the increase in breast milk.

Feed your baby on demand, around the clock.

Breastfed babies must feed frequently! (at least 8-12 times every 24 hours) Aim to breastfeed every 1½ to 2 hours during the day, and every 2–3 hours at night from the start of one feed to the start of the next. Feeding frequently will also prevent engorgement and reduce your risk of developing mastitis.

NOTE: If your newborn is unable to breastfeed or latch for whatever reason, you’ll need to either hand express or pump to establish milk production and relieve engorgement.

Utilize heat before feeding to help the milk flow

Take a warm shower or use a warm, moist compress on your breasts for a couple minutes before nursing. You can even immerse your breasts in a bowl of warm water!

Utilize a cold compress for any discomfort

You can apply an ice pack or cold compress between feedings if your breasts are sore. Apply for up to 15 minutes. You can even use a bag of frozen vegetables! (peas work awesome). Be sure to wrap the ice pack in a lightweight towel to protect your skin.

Switch ‘Em Up

Start each feed on alternate breasts, to ensure your breasts are drained equally.

Try Reverse Pressure Softening

If your baby is struggling to latch because of engorged breasts, you need to try this easy technique.

RPS works by by moving fluid away from the nipple area.

You literally push back the fluid that has built up behind and around your nipple to relieve the pressure. The breast tissue then becomes softer, allowing your baby to more easily attach. Here’s how to do it.

Don’t limit your baby’s time at the breast

Allow your baby to feed for as long and as often as they want. Let them finish the first breast, and then offer the second.

Still engorged after baby feeds?

Express milk, either by hand or with a breast pump, if your breasts still feel full. But don’t overdo it. Express just enough to take the edge off. If you pump too much, you may end up with an oversupply.

Entice a sleepy nurser

If your baby is sleepy at the breast (especially if you had a medicated birth), you may need to wake them and encourage them to nurse.

Have a well-fitting, supportive bra

Avoid bras (and underwires) that are tight or put pressure on specific areas of the breast.

We love THIS BRA because it is SOOO comfy, especially for nursing at night. It’s also a breeze to choose your size.

Expect some discomfort

Ask your healthcare provider to recommend an anti-inflammatory medication to help relieve pain and swelling.

Ensure your baby has a good latch

Be sure your baby is positioned well and sucking effectively. This will maximize the amount of milk they’re getting and reduce your chances of future enforcement and low milk supply issues.

Incorporate Breast Massage

Gently massage the breast in a downward motion from the chest wall toward the nipple area in a circular motion while your baby is nursing.

Watch out for symptoms of Mastitis

NOTE: This too shall pass and you won’t feel this full forever!

Your breasts will eventually soften up! After your milk comes in, extreme engorgement should improve within a day or two. If not, contact an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant).

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💪 2. Boost supply and tone up postpartum. Milk Dust is protein powder made just for breastfeeding moms. It nourishes and tones postpartum bodies (and contains milk boosting ingredients too!) Get 10% off Milk Dust using the code MILKOLOGY at checkout

🤱 3. If your nipples are sore, these are an absolute lifesaver. They’re super cheap, can be worn for multiple days (perfect when you’re trying to get a good latch), and are soooo soothing.