ebf & leaking, tell me it stops?

[Junosmum]

Baby is 2 weeks old. EBF. I appear to have a good supply and at times a fast let down (son sounds like he's choking at the beginning of some feeds). He has a good latch and quite frankly has made breastfeeding a doddle, I really don't feel I've done much.

During the day it's ok, but at night the breast not being fed on runs like a river as I feed. Soaks through breast pads, muslins, sleep bra, pyjama top and on to my dressing gown and bed linen. I end up getting changed at least once a night and I also end up soaking my baby and having to change him too.

It will stop won't it? I feed equally off both breasts and offer both breasts at each feed, and both breasts leak. It doesn't help that I can't stand the smell!

Anything I can do?

Congrats on your baby and ebf!
Yes it sounds about normal! At least I was similar to you. It did calm down after a few weeks but for a while I did experience what you are going through. I hated the smell too. So sorry I have no solutions only empathy. Congrats again tho on managing to ebf!

It does stop but it does take a while until your body adjusts supply.

I'd forgotten what a pain it was actually. Towels on the bed helps. It does pass.

Also hold a towel over the breast you aren't using while feeding your baby at night x

Mine never did stop with DD, actually, and I BFed her for 20 months! It did become more manageable though. I had an added problem that she could only feed from one breast. I mostly dealt with it by expressing while she was feeding (when it was possible, like at home), using a breast cup thing (can't remember what they're called - a clear dome shape with a hole to catch the milk. You can use this for some feeds if the equipment is sterilised. I topped up 'normal' expressed milk with it). Otherwise, lots of muslins. I was never able to feed lying down and slept on towels for months.

All worth it imo. And it didn't happen with DS, 3 years later. Enjoy your baby.

Mine never stopped either. I found lanisoh breast pads the most effective.

I'll never forget popping to the loo during the night in the first few weeks of bf. Stood at the sink to wash my hands and felt drops on my feet. Look down to find my entire t-shirt soaked and milk dropping off the hem. I had no idea what to do, I just froze in a sleep deprived stupor while my body did its thing and the puddle grew larger. DP came and rescued me in the end with towels and fresh shirt.

It did get better, though for a long time I'd have to hold a muslin over one side while DD fed to catch the the huge let down.

If you want some washable pads, by the way (no charge) please PM me. I've had a whole load in my drawer for a few years.

It will hopefully slow down over time, however you might experience a bit of dripping in the other breast from.the one you're feeding from. I'd really recommend some breast shells, fab for collecting leaking milk and keeping fabric away from sensitive nipples.

It can help to putstrong pressure on the nipple of the breast you're not feeding from when the baby latches on and until the letdown has finished. Use a folded Muslim and a spare elbow But sleep bras, pads and towels are the way to manage it.

Muslin. Autocorrect, sorry...

Six months on and I am still leaking I am afraid although not as much anymore.

Strangely I didn't with DS1.

I can feel the Let down on the breast I'm not feeding from (some people can't feel it) and find if I can 'squash' or squeeze the breast flat with my free hand for a minute or so stops any milk coming out. Not ideal in public! But saves wearing breast pads when in the house.

With my DD6 (bf for 19 months) I never ever leaked (like you she was a doddle) with ds(13 weeks) I haven't stopped leaking. Had a major oversupply issue. Ds is a very hungry greedy but good baby and he likes to snack between big feeds...

Just remember to always offer the other breast when lo has finished on one side and to carry breast pads ALL. THE. TIME!!

I only ever Fred from one side at a time. Helps manage the supply. Although I think whatever you do will settle eventually VA's your body just adjusts.

That happened to me badly at first! It stopped at about 8 weeks I think and I've been pad free since! I think you'll just have to wait and see

Congratulations on your little one

It stopped for me about 9 weeks.
I struggled horribly with bf up to ten weeks. It was so painful. Overnight at about ten weeks it just stopped hurting And now we are doing great.
I've found lanisoh pads he best too.

Thanks ladies much appreciate it.

The leaking comes as a bit of a shock.My daughter would only feed off one side each feed ab as long as I kept my free hand pressing against the breast she wany feeding off then I didnt get soaked.At 6 weeks your ba y will seem insatiable but they have a growth spurt about the and the constant feeding stimulates you to produce the extra milk then feeding settles again then leaking inbetween feeds lessens.Small leaks dry quickly and clothing with pattens disguise the stain.Leaking at night does get less one night feeds stop so a waterproof matress cover is a must.I slept on a wterproof cot sheet that had an upperfla nel fleece side uppermost which protected the sheets and felt dry.
Messy,time conuming but so worth it.

Junosmum - I've pmed re pads.

I've remembered just how insane the leaking was with DD. I went twice a week for months to the amazing infant feeding clinic in Oxford, where they helped me loads. At one point, we 'invented' a contraption to siphon off all the milk that was filling the breast shield while I was feeding off the other breast. I was sometimes filling 200ml bottles just from the leaking breast!

They did advise only to use it to mix with properly expressed milk, as the balance of nutrients/ fat probably wasn't quite as good.

I was so thankful that DS and I could use both breasts to feed!