Some newborn babies present as of the second or third day of life a bulge of the mammary glands, especially if they have been delayed and born after the expected date of delivery. It is a phenomenon that can occur in both boys and girls, and is also known as breast engorgement.
In certain rare cases, the mammary glands can secrete even a few drops of milk, called "witch's milk." This secretion can last up to two weeks, even when the swelling has already disappeared.
It is a rare but normal fact, which responds to the fact that maternal hormones do not reach the baby through the placenta (as in pregnancy) and because they are not exposed to these hormones at birth, they suffer certain temporary conditions. The fetus has absorbed estrogen from the mother, which stimulates the mammary glands of the newborn. It is the same cause that can lead to mild vaginal bleeding of newborns.
Before a swelling of the mammary glands, we must let time pass until the baby's hormones recover to normal levels. It is a transient and normal phenomenon, not harmful, and what we can do is preserve them from rubbing with a little cotton. It is not a painful swelling for the baby.
You should not press the breasts to get the milk, or make massages. The pressure could inoculate bacteria that would lead to inflammations. While we do not have to worry or need treatment before a breast engorgement, the same does not happen when an infection occurs.
We can think that there is inflammation when the mammary glands are reddened and hurt to the touch. In these cases it is necessary to visit the pediatrician to intervene, since in certain circumstances antibiotics must be administered to prevent the formation of an abscess or mastitis and avoid subsequent surgical intervention.
But yes swelling of mammary glands in the newborn It is not accompanied by any other symptoms, we do not have to worry because it is a normal and transitory phenomenon.
