How long does breast engorgement last? Fortunately, engorgement passes pretty quickly for most women. You can expect it to ease up in 24 to 48 hours if you're nursing well or pumping at least every two to three hours. In some cases, though, engorgement can take up to two weeks to go away.

How long does it take for engorgement to go away?

Signs & Symptoms of Engorgement

Engorgement typically begins on the 3rd to 5th day after birth, and subsides within 12-48 hours if properly treated (7-10 days without proper treatment).

When does breast engorgement go away if not breastfeeding?

If you're not breastfeeding or pumping, it typically takes seven to ten days after delivery to return to a non-pregnant/non-lactating hormonal level. During that time, you might feel some discomfort if your breasts become engorged with milk.