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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Awash!

13 replies

Freddiecat · 14/08/2004 21:57

I am breastfeeding DD now 5 weeks and it's all going well. Infact so well that I appear to have way too much milk. I regularly squirt DD in the eye when she pauses for breath and our sofa is going to need such a good clean when we've finished as I seem to spurt uncontrollably.

My letdown is also really strong on the other side when feeding. i am no way co-ordinated enough to express the other side (how do you do it?). I go through tons of breast pads every day and although I have tried the washable ones they don't seem to absorb fast enough and I am left with milk running out of the bottom.

I have now started expressing a little (just a couple of ounces) so that we can get DD used to it so I can do things like have a hair cut or have a life but not planning to give her a regular bottle feed. However since DD also sleeps for at least 8 hours straight at night I am now completely awash. Went through 8 pads and 2 bras last night and the bedding is minging.

Should I stop expressing? When is the best time to express to prevent all this? Do breast shells actually work and what are the best ones?

OP posts:

poppyseed · 14/08/2004 22:36

Well done! Brings back memories for me this does. Remember squirting milk right over a man's table sitting in Debenhams restaurant as he was minding his own business reading the paper!! DH nearly choked!! I found that breast shells were the worse thing ever and my boobs felt like they were in greenhouses...They turned all wrinkly encased in them and so I preferred to leak I'm afraid - you can buy the washable pads if the disposable ones are proving to be too costly. I couldn't be arsed to express at this stage so can't help you with that I'm afraid.
The whole thing does calm down as feeding becomes more established. You'll find that you won't leak so much in a few weeks time as your milk establishes a more accurate supply and demand. Isn't it lovely feeding though!? Make the most of it and enjoy!!! Wishing you all the best.

Millie1 · 15/08/2004 11:55

What about using a breastshell on the side you're not feeding on - just during a feed? I used to soak through pads just like you did and at least this saved on the pads! Also, you could then use what you collect in the shells to give to DD instead of expressing - you'd easily get a few ounzes over the course of a day. It'll calm down in a while ... and then you'll wonder whether you have enough milk!! (And you will have). Enjoy it.

Clayhead · 15/08/2004 12:32

Freddiecat, I've been there...twice! Waking up in pools of milk, and mine only ever slept for 2 hours at a time until they were 6 months old!!

I used the washable ones doubled up. I was also lucky with the weather being colder so had pad, bra, vest, t-shirt, jumper etc. to hide any leakage.

I also sprayed many things many times, most notably in Ikea.

The only advice I have is that (hard to believe now) it does all calm down eventually.

prufrock · 15/08/2004 12:46

It will calm down freddiecat. Try shoving a muslin cloth into your bra on the other side when feeding, and keep one on the feeding side to catch the spray if dd pulls off.
I found the mothercare pads were the most absorbent.

Yorkiegirl · 15/08/2004 13:04

Message withdrawn

popsycal · 15/08/2004 18:15

Freddie - how are you hun!

No advice but i do have half a box of fab breastpads sitting here. They are Maws ones and are like always ultra for boobs so you feel really drying. Hope you get sorted out but in the meantime, shall I send you these, when I eventually send you your pressie (which should be tomorrow as I have bagsied the car and it is sunny too!!

IlanaK · 15/08/2004 21:52

I do not have this problem myself, but have a friend without internet access that does. I was doing a search for her to get some information and found that www.kellymom.com (a great site for bf info) had a lot of info about how to reduce an oversupply to help with the many problems you point out.

Also, as to breastpads, I have tried 4 different kinds of washable one and by far the best are the new Bravado ones. They are absorbant and also have a mesh stay dry layer that goes against the breast.

Twiglett · 15/08/2004 22:36

message withdrawn

SueW · 16/08/2004 13:01

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at OP's request.

motherinferior · 16/08/2004 13:07

Oh, I've been there. My letdown was so power-showerlike that the baby used to pull off and get squirted all over. It does calm down.

And personally, I think anyone whose new baby sleeps eight hours straight is soooooooo lucky

Clayhead · 16/08/2004 13:22

Have just remembered that I did what SueW suggested with the heel of the hand (after reading on mumsnet) and it did work.

I have also leaned over with full shell and spilt it's contents on the floor

I would love a one year old who slept for more than 2 hours at a time!

Clayhead · 16/08/2004 13:23

'its contents' even, ooops

Original poster

Freddiecat · 18/08/2004 22:25

Thanks all - glad to hear I am not the only one who jets everywhere. That's hilarious about Debenhams restaurant poppyseed!

The heel of hand advice seems to work quite well. I am going to try and avoid the shells for now as DD snack feeds throughout the day (hence long sleeps at night I guess) and it's a lot of paraphenalia which I am trying to avoid. Also the Maws breast pads from popsycal are indeed brilliant"!

OP posts:

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