A comparison of four treatments to prevent and control breast pain and engorgement in nonnursing mothers.

The study compared three nonpharmacologic measures--compression binder, standardized support bra, and fluid limitation--and one widely used pharmacologic preparation--bromocriptine mesylate--in preventing and controlling postpartum breast engorgement. Women receiving bromocriptine mesylate experienced less breast engorgement, pain, and leaking of colostrum and milk than did women in any of the nonpharmacologic treatment groups (P less than or equal to .05). Women using a compression binder experienced less leaking than women using the bra or fluid limitation. There was no significant difference in the incidence of reported pain between the three nonpharmacologic groups. However, pain subsided more rapidly in women using the binder. Irrespective of treatment, the highest incidence of breast pain occurred between the third and fifth days postpartum, currently the immediate postdischarge period for newly delivered women.