I am a new mom and new to nursing. What should I sleep in? I am leaking so I need to use pads... A bra?

Question

Any REAL suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi, you should see that in a few weeks this becomes less of a problem as your milk supply levels off - until your baby starts sleeping longer at night and then it starts all over! lol Well, where I live you can buy special breast 'covers' for lack of a better word that are specific for nighttime. They are actually made out of plastic, and surround the nipple, collecting the milk that comes out and protecting your shirt. This is great so as not to have a pad soaking up the milk left next to your skin (which can cause sore nipples). I went back and forth between not wearing a bra and then wearing one with these things in it, until I noticed that breastmilk had stained my shirts. Weird but true, I can not get the 'circles' out of several shirts. After that I did every night until I stopped leaking. Congrats on your baby!!

Answer 2

Ok, here is my experience. I nursed two babies for over a year. The first few weeks until your milk "settles in" I wore a regular snap front sports bra with pads. Afterwards, I slept topless. It made it a lot easier to just grab the baby in the middle of the night, and go back to sleep while he nursed. If you're worried about your other breast leaking while you nurse on one side (that happened to me a lot when my milk let down) they sell overnight nursing bras. They're very, very comfy, and take a pad well. I used to soak through my pads the first few weeks, and I found that a newborn diaper fit perfectly,and soaked up a lot more.

Good luck with your new one!

Answer 3

I try not to wear a bra or pads at night because 1) you want as little fabric in between you and the baby as possible to stimulate breastfeeding, and 2) if your nipples stay wet or your milk ducts get compressed, you could be setting yourself up for an infection or clogged ducts. If you do wear a bra, make sure it is supportive but not binding, and does not have underwires. Use pads made out of natural fibers.

When my milk comes in, I sleep in oversized cotton t-shirts and expect that I may have to change them once or twice during the night. You might keep a fresh shirt on the nightstand. I put a waterproof pad, crib protector, or towel under me or just between the sheet and the matress. This helps with spit-up, too. I also keep a burp cloth or cloth diaper handy to catch drips while I am nursing.

It will get better!

Answer 4

Yeah, in the early days/weeks of nursing (especially with my first) I found it helped to sleep in a bra and nursing pads. There were even many nights that I had to change clothes in the middle of the night early on. Once your supply regulates, the leaking won't be as bad or as constant.

Answer 5

You can get sleep bras at any place that sells maternity and nursing clothes. I like the softness and coverage of a camisole or tank top. The kind with the little built in shelf bra holds pads really well. i also recommend that you get at least three pairs of cloth pads, they absorb a lot more and allow the nipples to get air. Target has the Medela ones, or you can get really nice hemp ones online.

Answer 6

A comfortable bra and nursing pads. Also have some handy during the night to change after each feeding.

Answer 7

yes sleep in someting that you can you button or unzip half way just enough to pull out the breast i say the old moo moo gown you dont want nothing that you have to uncover your entire bottom your body needs to stay warm durring feeding & you dont want the baby to always go under for feeding for the leaking yes keep a bra on & they sell pads for the bras they actually sell the bras that have a special place for the pads try to keep all white bra on and not to heavy on the soap powder when you do wash it hand wash with dishwashing liquid if possible try not to use bleach can break baby skin out you can get the padded bras at JC PENNYS NORDSTROMS etc.......oh before you feed if you just take a white clen cloth maybe one of the baby's put warm water no soap on it & wipe the breast off before you feed it will of course clean the area no soap

Answer 8

I used nuring pads and wore a bra to bed every night for weeks after my babies were born. You might also want to keep a waterproof cover on your mattress and put a towel under your side of the sheets.

Good luck and congrats!