How to handle a letdown spray in public fairly modestly?!

[Alice65475]

When I breastfeed one side sprays out like a faulty shower head 😆 Often it leaves my 8 week old coughing and writhing needing to burp, but my main issue now I’m going out more is I’m finding it daunting when I need to feed from the left side.

It feels exposing to sit there and catch the spray with a muslin (which is what I do at home) as she normally cries or fusses causing people to look over. It’s also tricker now as it sometimes happens up to three times during a five minute feed, which takes us both off guard and I need to look at my nipple to see if that’s the issue, which feels like anyone around me will see it too. I don’t love the covers I’ve tried as it’s tricker to burp her half way through. Any tricks?!

Pop a haakaa on the other boob? You should be able to tuck it under you clothes.

Sorry to clarify it’s the left side and it’s while I’m feeding on that side, so she’ll pull away and it sprays her face if I don’t catch it in a cloth

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4427658256/breastfeeding-cover-cotton-nursing-apron?ls=a&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=breastfeeding+nursing+cover&ref=sc_gallery-1-8&pro=1&frs=1&plkey=Eu5c7-XqlsKE9W8prsvXsHWh38b9%3ALT4a21569fcc889aff630b35ffed5266bb24f5431c

This is just an example - there are lots of other ones similar. They work really well.

Surely it's not exposing because the muslin covers the boob? I useful to tuck one corner of the muslin into my bra strap and have it like a sort of drapey tent, could easily be manoeuvred onto the leaky boob.

This is exactly what I did, for exactly the issue that you're having.

I think I would give in to the inevitable - start singing 'Firework' by Katy Perry and spinning around in a happy daze. Lean into it!

Jokes aside - my friend highly recommends these: https://www.johnlewis.com/munchkin-silicone-breast-milk-collector-cups-and-storage-plugs/p113827843?s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20155423421&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1zLLvSFgSI9jgiOFG4LzRVO9&gclid=CjwKCAiAj8LLBhAkEiwAJjbY75Io0KnsbGJ7Rp2hb7MkdfhXSqH-x6NeOPebO4vBKI7tCt6WYUcARxoC3WcQAvD_BwE

Back in the mists of time i had oversupply, im sure i figured out a method of putting muslin folded and over my arm/wrist under baby's head so when i started spraying i sort of tipped baby up and aimed onto the cloth so baby just still looked like she was feeding and hid the boob 🤔 sorry the the ramblings of an old woman, i feel like trump today with the brain fog

This is exactly the kind of trick I was hoping for, I can see that working I’ll give it a go! Thank you everyone ✨

I wouldn't overthink it, no one is watching that closely. They see a woman breastfeeding and think "ah, woman breastfeeding, look away" and that's it.

So so many a time, my dc have unlatched, arched outwards and cried, leaving me technically exposed but no one notices.

People aren't that interested in babies. Before I had my babies, I don't think I ever noticed a woman breastfeeding in London. Now I have kids I know they're everywhere. It's a kind of invisibility

I had this. I used a folded up muslin that I just quickly pushed onto my breast as DD1 came off. Maybe if someone had been really looking they’d have seen something but 🤷🏻‍♀️

If it helps, it seemed to calm down/DD got better at handling it at around 3-4 months I think.

You could express a little bit first? And how about trying a different position. Have you tried the koala hold? She'll have more control over how much she's taking on board, more able to dribble out excess rather than choking on it, and gravity won't be working against you both in the way it would with a cradle hold.

I could spray milk 10 feet with the oversupply I had with my first. I once got my NCT friend with it. I used thick cloth breast pads and a muslin. It settled within a few weeks. Didn't leak or spray at all with my second; it's like my boobs had learnt.

Someone I know once sprayed a man on a bench because of just such a problem. Made me laugh so hard when she told me.

I had this, and am ashamed to say that I used the baby to catch the spray. He pulled his head away, I moved him so the babygrow soaked it up and covered my boob.

This happens to us too, but then it looks like her nappy has leaked which is worse 😆

From my experience it is best not to have a 5 year old nearby who shouts "ITS LIKE A FIREHOSE" whilst pointing at your nipple.
HTH
😂

I had this issue! I got given some really think cloths that would just cover v quickly if babe came off boob. But it was a bit touch amd go some times! My bedside table was covered in milk splatter from over night feeds! It did get better! And I just made sure to try and push nipple down to direct the flow away from ppls heads amd coffees 😂

That’s hilarious and horrifying 😂

I shot my dad in the face from across the living room.
a very quiet, shy, dignified man. I’ll never forget the look on his face as he gingerly mopped his face with his jumper

I’m relieved after these stories that it’s only my baby I’ve sprayed! Thanks for the laughs 😄

I agree with a PP, no one will be looking that closely, it's true when you see a BF mummy, you notice and you look away.

Been there too though, OP. Used to always carry a jacket to wear after incase I got covered or didn't clean up well enough, and spare blankets!

You got this :D

I still sometimes get this and my baby is 6 months, but it was definitely worse in the early days. It will calm down, and you’ll develop knacks for managing it. I always wear pads in my bra/nursing vest, then if baby pulls away and nipple is squirting I can quickly pull the bra/vest back up again to absorb it. Take spare pads around with you in case you need to change them, and I had a spare top too in the early days. I also recommend going along to some baby groups and maybe a breastfeeding group if there’s one near you, as feeding around lots of other mums who were doing the same helped me feel confident about it. I’ve now got to the point where I don’t really care about modesty- I sprayed over the table at a restaurant whilst having brunch with friends and all found it hilarious! As a previous poster said, most people actively try not to watch if you’re out and about feeding so they won’t see anything!

This did make me laugh but not as much as your editing 😂

Let 'em stare op.

I was a sprayer on both sides, DC's own fault for getting a face full of they unlatch.

Anyone staring will quickly look away. That old phrase 'those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter' became my mantra*

*Easier said than done I know. As long as you're not sat in Woolies' window with everything on display folk will probably not even look over.

Well done for bf so far!!

You haven't lived until you've sprayed your milk across the room in public op!