Leaking constantly, any tips?

[Epigirl]

I'm new at this so I hope this subject hasn't been covered before!

I'm breastfeeding my 11 week old ds and breastfed my dd for a year. My problem has been the same with both, I seem to produce a lot of milk and I 'leak' several times a day; when I feed off one side, the other side leaks like a power shower. Like when I fed my dd, I use the Avent washable breast pads, wear a bra, vest, t-shirt, jumper and still I get two huge wet patches. I tend to wear cardigans when out and about to cover them up but I find it really gets me down that I'm constantly washing milk stained clothes, worrying about walking around with two huge milk wet patches and that I'm restricted in what I wear (thank heavens I've had autumn/winter babies). This continued with dd until she stopped her daytime feeds, at about 7 months. I do express but usually in the morning if (hopefully!) ds has slept for a few hours and I find that I'm full.

I just wondered if anyone else had the same problem or if anyone had any tips?

Sorry cant help but can i have some of your milk!

Would love to offer some! I tried to give some to the local hospital with dd but they didn't seem bothered... Must admit that the waste of all this milk also gets me down but I know that in lots of ways I'm lucky to have this 'problem'.

Mears told me to push your boob firmly with the palm of your hand when you feel let down on the "wrong" side.

no tips about this aprat from the best breast pads of all time are the ones by 'Maws' i think it is...mothercare seel them
they are like always ultra for boobs!!!!

Have recommended them to several friends and they are way above the rest
you actually don't feel damp at all!
and they are fairly flat so that you don't feel as though you having 2 headlights stickung out from your boobs!
ps tesco also sell them now

Must agree - i got some to use as I stopped bf and wished had found them ages ago - they dont have the nipple shape and stick to your bra like Sts

and a factory shop near us sell them at cost price

I leaked badly with DS2, it went on until 10 or 11 months. I found the Johnson & Johnson disposable breastpads the best (of the ones I tried), very absorbant but I like the sound of the Maws ones, didn't try those. Towards the latter end of the leaking I used Mears trick that codswallop mentioned, worked most times, worth a try.

Thanks popsycat. Could you tell me what part of the world the factory shop is in?

the north..........

i am the same and use a breast shell to collect the milk when at home, and top up a collection bottle all day then freeze at night. I donate it to the local milk bank as it can save the life of preterm baby, and i was only throwing it away. Or you could just keep it in the freezer for when you start weening? can be kept for upto 6 months in the deep freeze. When out I put firm pressure with my hand or arm (depending on level of descreatness needed!) on other boob during let down and this does seem to slow the amount produced.

Breastshells and breast pads have saved me from the powershoweriness. I found the AVent washable ones totally hopeless and now use the Johnson and Johnson ones when I'm not using a shell.

If you are leaking and want to stop the leakage, then breast shells will not be suitable for you as they act like a vacuum and will encourage your breasts to leak. The best thing to do is plenty of breast pads and slight pressure on them.
I also found the washable pads to be great, I've seen them in Boots so they still sell them there. I think if you apply a bit of pressure to the other boob whilst feeding, you can 'train' your boobs not to leak.

Hi Epigirl, good advice about the shells, pads etc. but I also found it helpful to feed off both sides during a feed. I would take my current feeding time, say 15mins and split it in two, 7/8mins each side. Ds is 5months now and is down to 4mins each side (such an expert!). I hated the lobsided feeling and found this stopped me from getting too engorged. Maybe worth a try, but did take a couple of days for boobs to settle into new pattern. HTH