Still leaking

[surprised]

Hi, I just have a quick question. I have been breastfeeding my baby from the start, he's 3 weeks today. I haven't had many problems only this one, I seem to leak alot of milk, I feed on demand during the day and also wake him at night if he hasn't woken in four hours (by the way when can I stop doing this?). Anyway between feeds I just leak alot from both breasts and alot more during the night, I can wake up soaked and I'm so fed up wearing a bra and breastpads to bed... It probably sounds like a minor problem but it's an annoying one and I was just wondering when it might stop or is there anything I can do about it. Thanks in advance.

[@llli*andrea.wolford]

your baby is still young! Some moms find its a while before they stop leaking..
I bet it will start getting beter about 6 weeks or so..
I slept with wash clothes in my bra, and on top of a bath towel. that way if I leaked to bad I didn't have to change sheets.

[@llli*susnrob]

The Medela Nursing Pads http://www.breast-pumps.com/medela_b...e_products.htm were by far the best disposable Nursing Pad I found. It would hold so much without leaking. I was amazed at how heavy they would be when I took them off. It will get better with time....I don't even need nursing pads now and my boys sleep 10-12 hours through the night with no nursing or pumping.

[@llli*moose]

Ohhh...I hated the leaking too, but it was better that than mastitis (which I had because I couldn't leak to start out with...not sure why it changed, but leaking was way better). I bought some hemp pads which were way better than disposables and they allowed my breasts to breathe. I just washed them with the cloth diapers. And a good night nursing bra is way more comfortable than day time bras.

The leaking slowed down around 6 weeks but didn't really cease until 3 months. I still leak occasionally, but only after a letdown or if dd has slept longer than usual.

sorry I can't offer better news!!!

[@llli*jenne]

I hate to put a damper on things, but my dd is 6 months old...and I still leak... I am sure part of that is just me, and I am also sure it is different for everyone...I totally feel for you though...I am so tired of nursing bras at night...but I guess you just do what ya gotta do, right? Hopefully yours will slow down past the 6 week mark...

[@llli*quakerm0mma]

... I feed on demand during the day and also wake him at night if he hasn't woken in four hours (by the way when can I stop doing this?).

I think if your baby has regained his birthweight and nursing is going well, then you can let him sleep at night as long as he wants.

About the leaking -- I can remember waking up in a puddle of breastmilk on a regular basis for the first several weeks. If you just absolutely can't stand to wear a bra to bed (I HATED that), then put down a waterproof crib sheet and a bath towel on top of that, to save your mattress, and just go ahead and leak. Keep some spare jammy tops nearby so you can change into something dry right away. Hopefully this will stop happening in a few more weeks.

--Rebecca

[@llli*molly.b]

I tried to use the cloth nursing pads, and I leaked through them easily. I never tried the hemp ones, though, which are supposed to be more absorbent.
I used Lansinoh disposable breast pads, day and night. They are really thin but really absorbent. They were my favorite of a few that I tried, but they do have a plastic backing which reduces breatheability, so I wouldn't wear them 24-7.
Of course, disposables create more waste. I would give cloth ones a shot to see if they work for you before using disposables.
With any breast pads, make sure to change them whenever they get wet to avoid thrush/infections.
My leaking slowed to a trickle after the first 6 weeks, but continued on and off through 6 months. Now it is very rare.

[@llli*lucas.4-5-6]

DS is 4.5 mos and I still leak! It's not as bad and I don't bother wearing pads at night anymore but I don't dare go to work w/o them! Leaking will gradually get better as your body adjusts to your LO's needs. But since the needs change so often in the beginning you body has to keep readjusting. My favorite pads are the Medela ones.

[LLL_Jolie]

You sound frustrated.

Do you feel like you have a lot of milk?

Leaking usually begins to slow or stop around 4-6 weeks, as your production levels regulate to meet baby's demands. Since sleeping in a bra with pads is bothersome, perhaps you could try sleeping topless with an absorbant towel underneath you and see if that works any better for you?

Here are some helpful resources:
http://www.lalecheleague.org/llleade...pOct95p72.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/mi...ction-faq.html (not LLL resource)

[alia'smommy]

My baby is 10 weeks old and I still leak on occasion - this is not said to discourage you, but to reassure you that this is not abnormal.

One suggestion to your night-time frustrations: try wearing a tank top w/ a shelf bra instead of a regular bra. You don't want the tank to be too tight, but tight enough to hold breast pads (I use Lansinoh - and haven't leaked onto the sheets yet). The tanks I use are ESPRIT brand, but any athletic-style tank will do (try to find over the shoulder straps, not racer-back style as this style is hard to slip the straps down to nurse in the night)

My pediatrician advised me that once my baby was 4-5 weeks old and gaining weight sufficiently, it was o.k. to let her sleep until she woke up wanting to be fed.

Sorry this is long but hopefully it helps