How can I deal with the constant leaking second time around?

[belindarose]

DD and I had a lot of early difficulties with bf and had to express for the first 5 weeks until she was able to latch on. Even then, she only ever fed from the right breast (for 20 months).

Maybe because I wasn't using it, or maybe because I continued to express for 5 months, the left breast would literally gush throughout a feed on the right. I mean to the extent of soaking through several folded muslins or towels. This made it really difficult to feed while out and about for many months (which is why I expressed, so that I could bottle feed if necessary). I was also unable to feed lying down as milk just gushed everywhere. BF clinic, although marvellous in every other way, couldn't find anything to help, although I did use a breast shell to collect some of the excess while feeding and added this to pumped milk. Shell needed emptying several times during a feed though, which upset DD a lot.

I know this is a minor problem compared to many, and I'm really hoping to get next baby latched on properly early on. I'm 36 weeks now and have been leaking colostrum from both breasts since about 20 weeks. I get through several breast pads each day and night. I think there's a valve missing or something!

So sorry it's so long. If you've made it through and had/ seen anything similar, suggestions would be welcome. Toddler DD this time too, so feeding out and about will be crucial. Can't see her letting me faff about with messy breast shells either!

Haven't got any advice sorry belinda but didn't want you to go unanswered.

Hopefully someone will be along soon.....

Did leaking so dramatically carry on until your DD was 20 months? Guessing that feeding on one side kept triggering your let down which meant your supply stayed up?

Maybe hold a bottle or pump (without pumping) over the breast when feeding so you don't have to empty the shells? You could cut a bra up to do this although it wouldn't be ideal out and about.

Sounds like they wouldn't be up to your boobs but I found motherease bamboo reasuable breast pads the best. Or cut up some nappys as they are mega absorbent.

I still leak now when feeding and DD is 14 months. It's not a nice feeling but fortunately it's been manageable since she was about 9/10 months.

Watching with interest as I hope if I conceive a 2nd baby then feeding next time around will be a less messy experience.

Good luck with DC2. X

Thanks. I didn't leak for the whole 20 months. Stopped needing breastpads around a year I think, and was able to use washables towards that point. Even now, while still pg, washables are useless to cope with the amount I leak.

I'm hoping that if this baby can feed on both sides, it won't be such a problem. Can't think of any physi

Physiological reason why that would be true though!

some women find they leque less with subsiquent babies. Pumping may not have helped as i take it you where producing more milk then needed. Did anyone ever suggest using pressure to stop the flow. Basicly you use the heal of your hand and place pressure on the nipple works for some mum. Have you had a look on kellymom for info on overactive let down to.

Leaking less with subsequent babies was certainly the case with me Migril

I was hoping it would be less, but considering the constant stream of colostrum that's happening already, I'm probably clutching at straws there. I know it's not a major problem, but does make it all a lot more difficult as I won't be able to just quickly latch baby on and carry on with toddler etc. It takes a lot of faffing around. Also, I couldn't get the hang of feeding in a sling last time (which would be really helpful this time) as stuffing my bra with towels kind of ruined it. Also, as mentioned in OP, I couldn't feed lying down as it all just soaked everywhere, but might get waterproof mattress cover or something this time and just go for it!

I leaked quite a bit with DD1 (I could leak 50mls while bfing on the other side but struggled to pump and I pretty much exc. pumped for the 1st 8 weeks). With DD2 I didn't leak much - perhaps for a few weeks - and with DD3 I don't think I even used breast pads more than once or twice. I think with DD4 I won't need them at all (tbf I have been bfing for 6y non-stop so I imagine the muscles controlling the ducts are pretty firm by now!)

Sorry to hear you are leaking loads already I leaked a lot with ds! Though your sounds bad! And I fed on both sides. Pressure does help. I did also find boots own breast pads the best. Dunno which ones you have tried maybe you have tried em all so I might be going no where but the ones that are called ultra thin extra obsorbant I think! They have the same stuff in as nappies so soak up a lot! I have had the embarassing rush home from town (no coat as was summer baby) cos I bent over to get something and soaked my top even with breast pads so I know how you feel.