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Help! My breasts are full & baby won't latch!

Writer's picture: Nourishing NewbornsNourishing Newborns

Updated: 1 day ago

Sometimes, when your milk comes in or your breasts are engorged, it can be challenging for a baby to latch onto your breast. Reverse pressure softening is a technique you and/or your partner can learn to help:




  1. Press your fingertips around the base of your nipple (any finger combination may be used)

  2. Firmly but gently, apply steady pressure

  3. After 30 seconds or so, drag your fingers away from your nipple, continuing to apply pressure.

  4. Continue the same process alternating positions around your nipple

  5. Repeat until your areola has softenened(the areola is the big, flat, colorful circle of skin under the nipple)

  6. Latch your baby or express milk right away. The softening will only last for about 5 minutes.


** These instructions for RPS are from Milkology.org - go to the following link to see photos: https://milkology.org/content/reverse-pressure-softening



Additional details:


Help! I'm so engorged!


Engorgement is swelling of the breasts that occurs in the first week when the milk production increases after the colostrum phase is over. It is from increased blood flow, swelling, and milk. It is normal & will go away with continued breastfeeding.


If you are still engorged after 7 days, please call us or your breastfeeding health care provider.


Before the feed:


  • It is ok to soften breasts a little with a warm shower, breasts in a warm tub of water, or warm moist towel on breasts, and reverse pressure softening before nursing:  https://youtu.be/XLcUZzOMaz4?si=Nx0GejUvtlvnCh87


  • Your breasts will drip some milk & that is OK. Do not worry about saving these drops. The baby will not be "missing this milk." The high-calorie milk comes out later in the feed.


  • Ok to do lymphatic massage before a feed as well (see video below).


  • If your baby has trouble latching because the breast is too firm, hand express a few teaspoons or tablespoons of milk from the breast to soften the areola, making it easier for the baby to latch deeply. This will also help to prevent pain with latching.


  • When engorged in the first week: Avoid pumping (including silicone milk catchers that suction onto your breast - ok to use it to catch drops, but don't suction it onto the breast) - this might make you temporarily comfortable but will tell your body to make milk for twins, leading to even worse engorgement.


  • Nurse ad-lib when your baby shows signs or hunger or as instructed by your healthcare provider.


Inbetween feeds:


  • Cool compresses in a comfortable, supportive bra. Cabbage leaves, or a bag of peas (whatever you have on hand).


  • If the breasts are still uncomfortably full after the baby nurses, lie down on your back, with breasts elevated, and apply cold packs or cold compresses to breasts for 10-20 minutes between feedings.


Keep up the great work! You got this.
Keep up the great work! You got this.

--Dr. Ali Hunt

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