Breast engorgement can affect the infant. Swollen breasts make latching onto the nipple difficult for infants, especially when the swelling involves the nipple and pulls it inward.[1] This can affect an infant’s willingness to breastfeed, as well as the amount of milk they receive. It can also contribute to nipple pain because the latch that is achieved is often shallow. When breast engorgement is caused by an oversupply of milk, infants can get too much milk too quickly. This can lead to frequent spit ups, lactose overload, explosive green stools, gassiness, fussiness, and coughing/choking at the breast.
Does breast engorgement affect the infant?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Breast engorgement can hinder an infant's ability to latch properly, which affects their willingness to breastfeed and the amount of milk they receive. Additionally, it may lead to nipple pain and, in cases of oversupply, result in excessive milk intake that causes spit-ups, gassiness, and other digestive issues.