It is common for moms to struggle with unrealistically rock-solid hard, sore, and swollen feet for the first few days after giving birth, specifically around the time when your breast milk first comes in. For breastfeeding moms, the engorgement subsides within 2-3 days, though it still takes some time for you and your baby to understand the entire feeding process and to get used to it. If you choose to not breastfeed, remember to avoid nipple stimulation or milk expression as this will signal your breasts to continue producing milk. Wearing a snug fit bra can also help non-breastfeeding moms to minimize engorgement.
Using a warm compress before feeding your baby and massaging your breasts can help manage the engorged breasts better. Once you start feeding the baby make sure the whole nipple is in the baby's mouth and you squeeze the area around so that milk can get pumped out. This process is typically important in an engorged breast as it may sometimes lead to an abscess, if not done correctly.