Do not empty your breasts all the way. ... This can make breast engorgement worse. Gently massage your breasts to help milk flow during breastfeeding or pumping. Apply a frozen wet towel, cold gel or ice packs, or bags of frozen vegetables to your breasts for 15 minutes at a time every hour as needed.

Is heat or cold better for engorged breasts?

The solution most commonly recommended by doctors and lactation consultants is a moist heat compress before nursing and then a cold compress after nursing. A cold compress also helps relieve pain in between nursing sessions.

What does ice do for engorgement?

Cold compresses applied for 15 minutes every hour between feedings can help relieve pain and reduce swelling (Small bags of crushed ice or frozen vegetables wrapped in a thin dish towel work well). Some moms use cool cabbage leaf compresses 3-4 times per day for relief as well.