Does amyone know how to slow breast leaking when feeding?

Question

I am Breast feeding and I am letting down on both sides. I would like to be able to breastfeed in public. I cannot do it because the breast that the baby is not latched on to will leak and soak a bath towel. Is there anything that I can do about this? (baby is 4days old and my milk came in 2days ago)

Answer 1

It will stop being as much of a problem on its own -usually by 6 weeks. For now, if you are comfortable with it wear a really baggy shirt and put a breastpump over the other breast, this will catch the milk.

Also you should talk to a lactation consultant as it sounds like you may also have forceful letdown and/or oversupply. There are things you can do to help with this.

Forceful Let-down (Milk Ejection Reflex) & Oversupply
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/fast-letdown.html

La Leche League -free breastfeeding support
International:
http://www.llli.org/webindex.html

USA
1-877-4-LALECHE

Answer 2

That happened to me for about the first month. After that, I was able to control my let down a lot better. Give it some time, you are still very new to this, and it can take a while for your supply to regulate. If you have to breastfeed in public before you are able to control the leaking, you may just have to use several breastpads, or go sit in the car so you can hold a towel to your leaking breast. Depends on how bad the leaking is. When my daughter was nursing on one side, the opposite side would leak a good 6 ounces, so it wasnt exactly feasible for me to nurse in public until that was under control. If we were at someone's house, I just went in a bedroom. If I needed to go to the store or something, I simply timed it between feedings. Shouldnt be too hard since newborns can sleep/drowse for about 16-20 hours a day. Good luck, and like I said, just give it some time.

Answer 3

Your baby is still very young. Your breasts will get used to what they need to do. Right now, they are producing more milk then your baby needs. Within a few weeks, they will get used to it. You will still leak, but not by the cupful.

What I did in the beginning, was hold my hand over the breast that I was not nursing from. Basically holding the nipple flat. This slowed down on the leakage. (But, it can be hard to find an extra hand in the first few weeks, because nursing a newborn can be hard)

When I was home nursing my daughter, I would put a cloth diaper under my shirt of the side I was not nursing from. I would even have to put one over both breasts at night. They would be soaked.

But, we do what is best for our children!!

Answer 4

oh my god, i had this same problem...and there is nothing you can do...thank god you can or we can supply that much for our children.
the only advice i can give is to make sure you use a nursing bra and carry some extra pads w/ you.
thats what i did, when i was at home i would use towels, t shirts, or anything i could get my hands on. after a couple of weeks i just decided to pump that way they are both done at the same time and you dont have the mess.

good luck!!! and congratulations

ps the best pads were in a purple box. it was like lanisol or something like that, but they were the best and they held the most as well.

Answer 5

hi! I'm a brestfeeding mum and it can be done!! you will be bad leaking in the first couple of days till ur body realises when ur baby wants the milk but to slow the leaking i used to firmly squish my hand against my other breast and once the "tingle" (if u get that feeling u'll know what i mean) subsides u should be able to let go. also breast pads are a good help keep a few extra in ur handbag

Answer 6

I wouldn't worry much aout it. Generally, within a week max, your milk supply should meet your baby's needs, and there won't be so much leaking (at that point, breast pads are sufficient to keep you dry), and soon after that there won't be any leaking at all. I have an 8-month old, who's been entirely breastfed so far, and I can tell you for sure, it gets much easier and it becomes so so so enjoyable!!
Good luck!

Answer 7

It will get better in a month or so.

Press your finger on the nipple, push it in and hold it. That will stop the flow.

Ive been nursing for nearly 7 months, but sometimes i still have leaking with let down, but not as bad as it was.

You are wearing a good nursing pad right? Lanisnol nursing pads are great.

But it will get better with time.

Answer 8

Wait...your milk will prob. slow down in a few days. I just propped a bottle under my leaking breast and froze the milk for future use.

Answer 9

I saw this while searching for baby items.

I have the same problem with let down. I know, it stinks!

I guess it's just a cover you put over your breast.. or nipple area... and it keeps it flat, to prevent you from leaking.

Hope that helps!

Answer 10

You could try pumping some every morning to reduce the amount in the breasts & wear breast pads to protect your clothes. You can also change the baby from breast to breast more frequently. Kudos to you for providing so well for your baby!