I am a Dairy Cow!! HELP

[bonkerz]

Ok, need advise and seeing as midwife is not due round till Tuesday and i would feel rubbish about ringing her over the christmas weekend i am turning to the amazing ladies of mumsnet!

My baby is 6 days old and im leaking for Britain! Have gone through 40 breast pads in less than 48 hours and still managed to soak an entire wardrobe! I know that its good im producing lots BUT i stink and cant keep up with the washing. My boobs are hard and im not sure what to do for the best.

Have tried expressing but cant help thinking that makes it worse! Supply and demand and all that. HAve also tried leaving them but end up soaked! Used some avent shields today that collect the milk and had 6 oz within 30 minutes!

Is it just a case of coping or can i do something productive?

Also what did people use as pads? Have resorted to flannels folded up in bra BUT am due at MIL tomorrow for a family party and cant really turn up looking like madonna but dont want to turn up with giant wet patches either!

HELP

[tamba]

I used those advent collecter thingies when I had loads of leaks but the midwife then told me that they were actually encouarging more milk supply. Expressing will also increase your supply as like you say - supply and demand.

It will settle down once your body becomes used to the routine of feeding your little one, and adjusts to her need.

I think its just a case of lots of breast pads and changing bras - I tried washable breast pads as I was getting through boxes of disposable ones!

As for your party, I went to the pub (just for lunch!) when ds1 was a week old and got into an embarrassing situation!

Can you take a spare bra, t-shirt and cardie just incase? Good Luck and Merry Christmas xxxx

[snowfalls]

Wear black to disguise any leaks.

[bonkerz]

Looks like i will have to take lots of clothes with me!

Its a nightmare really because when i brestfed DS 5 years ago i couldnt produce enough milk for him and TBH i am pleased im producing too much rather than not enough, its just an inconveniance really!

[notasheep]

bonkerz-definately use the washable breast pads-i found the Avent ones soft and comfortable,and i saved a fortune.

Its a positive thing that your producing milk,my friend had to wear sort of dishes in her bra for a while to collect her milk-there was so much,i saw her empty them and couldnt believe it!

Its early days and hopefully your boobs were settle down in time,this same friend would wrap her chest in a large bath towel when she went to bed.

Remember you are not alone,it will get easier,i fed dd and ds for 9 months.Its really worth it if you can do it.

Best wishes to you

[snowleopard]

Bonkerz, I was you! You know what I did - not suitable for going out really though, unless you're wearing a huge jumper - I used disposable nappies. They contain a lot of that magic stuff that holds tons of liquid. I would be walking round the house with 2 up my t-shirt. Perhaps you could modify them and cut them up to make pads you could wear out of the house?

Also it does calm down. I was a lot better by 6 weeks and had stopped leaking by 3 months, except when actually feeding I still leak from the other boob. Oh and when I saw the baby chick in March of the Penguins!

[Nettee]

lansinoh disposable breast pads are fantastic - you will probably find a sample in your bounty pack. Unfortunately they are hard to get hold of apart from over the internet - I think snowleopard's suggestion of disposable nappies is brilliant - wish I had thought of that when I was out of pads.

[bonkerz]

had thought of the nappy idea and also using sanitary towels! Flannels seem to be working at the moment and have put a bra on thats quite tight too

Thanks for posts, helps to know im not alone!

[LittleMissRACHEYXmasBigTits]

Gosh - this will be me soon! You will settle down shortly. One tip I can pass on is if you feel a 'let down' coming to press a finger quite hard right in the middle of your nipple - it can kinda hold off the deluge... worth a try, good luck! And look on the bright side, at least you have loads of milk - freeze it for later and take a gorgeous pashmina today!

[morningpaper]

You have a 7 day old baby so if it's too much you are DEFINITELY excused from the party! Just go to bed with baby - can't DH go with the otheres and leave you alone to rest? Don't overdo it. Good luck! xxx

[suzi2]

You may want to try Lilypadz if it persists - I have heard great reviews about them. I think you can buy them at www.twinkleontheweb.com

[moondog]

Sounds amazing...
Can you just drop in to the party for an hour?
With a week old baby,you can't be up to much.

[mokola]

I agree, dont push yourself too hard when baby is only one week!

BTW I recently discovered that the Tommee Tippee breastpads are the same as the Laninoh ones but cheaper and easier to find. They definately hold more liquid than the bog standard ones (boots, tesco owm brand, Johnsons etc). IMO the cloth reusable ones are better for later on when you just leak when feeding as they do soak through if leaking heavily.