Which intervention helps a breastfeeding mother with engorged breasts?

• A. Applying ice
• B. Applying a breast binder
• C. Teaching how to express her breasts in a warm shower
• D. Administering bromocriptine

Answer: (C)

Engorgement happens when milk production outpaces drainage, causing the breasts to become firm, tender, and swollen. The key to relief is removing milk and helping milk flow. A warm shower or warm compress applied to the breasts helps stimulate the milk-ejection reflex and makes it easier to express milk. When a mother teaches herself to express milk in that warm shower, she can soften the nipples and reduce fullness, which also improves the baby’s ability to latch effectively when feeding.

Ice or a tight breast binder don’t promote milk removal and can make the situation worse by slowing milk flow or restricting drainage. Bromocriptine suppresses lactation, which isn’t appropriate for a mother who is actively breastfeeding and experiencing engorgement. Expressing milk in a warm shower directly addresses the need to relieve fullness and supports ongoing breastfeeding.