Boobs still leaking - 2 months since I stopped BFing

[LuckySalem]

They're doing my head in. Whenever I pick DD up and sit her where its comfy on my boob they start dribbling. It's so embarrasing.

DP noticed it today and said why don't you go back to BFing - You've obviously got plenty of milk and the credit crunch is doing my head in. Am slightly annoyed at him for that but that gives you an idea of how much i'm leaking.

Will it ever go away? Is it something I should be concerned about?

Why did you stop? was it a natural progression or di you stop suddenly? Would you like to go back to bf? How old iss your DD? Are your breasts always engorged? sorry loads of questions.

You don't have to answer if they are too personal. just good to get a bit of background.

We stopped for lots of reasons. One was I didn't bond with DD till she was about 4 months so it felt "weird" to me. We stopped excl BF at 3 1/2 months but still BF morn and night feeds till 4 and 1/2 months.

I don't want to go back to it as she seems so happy on bottles now and selfishly I like that I can feed her out and about. I knew I'd never do it in public cos of the size of my norks and being unable to do it discreetly no matter how hard I tried.

She's nearly 7 months now.

They're not engorged - They're pretty saggy. lol

You could feed her morning and night only and not during the day when out and about if that is the main thing which would bother you about b-feeding?
Good for her health and will save you lots of ££ on formula.

Panna - I feel she's too old now. I'm back to it feeling "wierd". Maybe my opinions would be different if we hadn't stopped. But to me to put her back on the breast after 2 months of not having it at all seems weird.

Sorry if I offend anyone but that's just how I feel and I know its Wierd that i feel wierd.

Sorry but anyone got and ideas as how to stop it?

Or even if its normal for them to STILL be leaking.

I'm sorry that it felt/feels weird, some mums really don't feel comfortable with bf, it's not for everyone and it's great that you managed as long as you did!.

I'm still feeding my ds and he's 9 months and i find it easier than when he was a new born and don't often have to feed out and about, (not that it bothers me) as he can go 4- 5 hours without a feed.

I'm not sure if they still give you that pill that drys out your milk. DH's mum mentioned it the other day. We were chatting about bf as she chose not to bf (struggled with it and wasn't the done thing), but that was arround 20 years ago so i'm not sure if it's common practice now.

You culd still be leaking because your body isn't co-opperating, your brain is probably sending bf signals so you are still producing milk. Would it help if you could talk to a bf councillor or call LLL? Maybe talk through the reasons why you find bf weird. This may allow you to get over whatever this may be, and put your mind at rest.

Do you feel any guilt over stopping? If so your body may be producing the milk because it feels that is what you want it to do.
Please try and talk to someone and resolve your issues and i'm sure you will start to feel better about your whole bf experience and your milk will dry-up or you may even choose to continue bf full time or mix feed. Whatever you decide I hope it works out for the best!

Thanks LMB - I don't want to BF cos I think she's too old now. My plan was always to stop at 6 months. In a way I feel bad for stopping but she's happy so I don't feel too bad.

No one should ever feel bad/guilt over not bf or stopping. just some mums do, that's why i asked. As long as DD is happy then wouldn't worry. Your supply will eventually dry out, as long as your breasts aren't being stimulated.

You could talk to your GP if it continues to be a problem. But as far as i am aware it is normal to still be leaking at this stage for many reasons. I would still talk to someone on your views to bf (even if it's just another bf mum) just to normalise it for you and help you voice why you felt uncomfortable.

6 months is the guidline for exclussive bf. Then the reconmendation is to continue untill 2 years, along with solids and other drinks. (not many people are aware of this and just think it is 'normal' to bf untill 6 months)

But you should be happy as you got over half way of your personal goal of 6 months!

But brestfeeding over 6 months is very normal remember she is still a baby!

One more thing before i go to bed.

You feel your dd is too old for bfeeding but would you be happy for her still to have bmilk? You could express, as she is happing taking bottles now, this would be less of a change as to going back to bf.

That way you could save some money on formula and put the leaking milk to use! Then when you decide to give up later on they may dry up more quickly/leak less or you'll slowly start producing less milk with the lack of stimulation and it will become a natural progression. If you are gushing when you leak you could always just pop a sterile bottle or container under your boob to catch the milk.

Also thought about suggesting you use your milk and give it in a bottle, though am not sure thats what you wanted to hear LS...

Ok so today I thought I'd try and express some of it and see how much is appearing. I managed to get 2oz out and its near enough water with a tiny white hint to it. I've thrown it cos it didn't look like something she'd want.

I've gotta go docs soon anyway about my leg so might ask while I'm there.

LS that's a shame, bm is great stuff even if it doesn't look like much and 2oz is a decent amount.
You could always add it to her bottle of formula, seems an awful waste to bin it...

It looks nothing like my BM used to look though. That always used to look really white.

This literally looked at though somone had put a little dye in it.

Maybe if it doesn't go away i'll try again and add it. I'm not sure how I feel about it all yet TBH