Effect of Instruction Guideline on Relieving Breast Engorgement among Postnatal Mothers

Abstract

Breastfeeding is widely encouraged in current obstetric practice. While its advantages to mother and child are well recognized, there are a number of problems associated with it. One common problem that is encountered is breast engorgement (Leena, 2013). Breast engorgement is a physiological condition characterized by painful swelling of the breasts. It results from sudden increase in milk volume, lymphatic and vascular congestion, and interstitial edema during the first two weeks following childbirth. It may also result from insufficient breastfeeding or any kind of obstruction in milk ducts (Disha, 2015). Engorgement symptoms occur most commonly between days 3 and 5, with more than two-thirds of women with tenderness on day 5 but some as late as days 9–10 Two-thirds of women experience at least moderate symptoms. More time spent breastfeeding in the first 48 hours is associated with less engorgement. Adequate management of engorgement is important for successful long-term lactation. Although experiencing engorgement may be temporarily uncomfortable for mothers, it appears to be associated with a decrease the likelihood of early weaning ( Leena, 2013)