Sooooo many breast pads!!

[sometimesyouwin]

Just out of interest (to check I'm not odd)... does anyone else have to wear breast pads all the time day and night? I have a strong let down reflex so as soon as I start feeding on one side the letdown occurs on the other side at the same time and my milk leaks a lot. I also find my let down can occur at random times occasionally in between feeds. Both of the above reasons mean I have to make sure I have pads in my bra at all times day and night for along aas I breastfeed (2 years with my first DS). I've tried the reusable ones but didn't really get on with them as they didn't wick the moisture away enough and I got sore, so am now spending a small fortune on disposable ones! I just wanted don't to know of this was normal as most people I know don't have to bother using them after the first couple of months.

Ohhhhh yes, 13 weeks in with DC2 and I've only forgotten to wear pads once never again

Always tickles me when the baby mags say to pop in a breast pad on the other side to increase confidence when feeding in public...omg I would be drenched if I didn't!

I use the reusable ones sometimes simply because medela/lansinoh ones are so expensive. Cheap supermarket pads are crap! Remembering back to with DC1 though once she started on solids I didn't need pads so much.

I could have written your post op. I've got such a huge supply that things would be saturated without them. I've also recently discovered that if I'm a bit cold they leak milk. Lovely!

Thanks guys, it's such a relief to know it's not just me! I'm the same with getting drenched. I forgot to put fresh ones in before bed the other evening then sat up to feed and managed to soak through my night bra, nightdress and dressing gown!! Some people I'd spoken to were shocked at how many I used and that I had to have them on all the time. I was starting to feel that I was abnormal. Plus I've had some odd looks in shops when stocking up. I bought 6 big boxes of lansinoh ones when they were on offer in mothercare a few weeks back!

I had horrendous let down - its awful! Breast cups are brilliant and save enormously on breast pads.

I am the same! Was hoping it'd settle down soon (dd is 10 weeks) but reading your posts I guess not. Spending a fortune on lansinoh pads, was going to try some reusable ones.

recommend the little lamb bamboo pads!

I didn't get on with little lamb reusables, they didn't wick the moisture away enough so irritated my skin.
I'm lucky that I haven't needed to use past 4 months with either dc.

Still using them 13 months in - I let down from the other side while feeding, and tend to wake up leaking in the morning after 11-12 hours since the bedtime feed.

I've always used reusables, both Little Lamb and Disana organic ones. They shouldn't irritate your skin if you change them often (e.g., change after each feed or whenever wet), and use a very mild or no detergent. I used to alternate between two pairs at night - one to wear to catch leaks, and one to wear during feeds and dry out in between. I now usually go through one pair per 24 hours.

Yep, I was the same for EIGHT MONTHS (after which the let-down calmed a but). Lanisoh are the best IMHO by the way. You can try pressing the heel of your hand on "the other" boob if you feel let down, or try block feeding, but I tried and neither really worked for me. Have you looked at donating milk to your local bank for preme babies? It's very rewarding and all organised for you (courier collects etc).

Same here and Ds2 is 4months now. It's just park of my daily routine now, I don't even think about it anymore! I find that the Johnson's ones are the best, it has that cup like shape? I got some Asda ones the other day and they're rubbish!

Oh god this has reminded me how bad i used to get this problem. I would end up just pumping the other side cause i felt like it was just a waste to let it all run into pads and all over my clothes. I might get those little breast shells/cups this time.