Couple of breastfeeding questions

[Borisneedsahaircut]

For how long do your breasts 'leak' milk whe breastfeeding.
(Breastfeeding DD didn't work last time as she wouldnt latch on so we switched to bottle after a week or so) But I know I was really uncomfortable with the leaking boobs especially at night.......so how long does it last?
Do you get it until you stop breastfeeding?

My daughter was actually found to have a milk allergy quite early on and was put on prescription milk. What happens with this if you are breastfeeding?
Does the mother have to quit all dairy whilst breastfeeding?

Mine never leaked (which freaked me out and triggered a wave of anxiety over the subject). Looking back I fed her pretty much hourly in the early days

I fed frequently at night and co-slept so never felt engorgement (only once when I'd been out drinking and had given expressed milk)

I am still breastfeeding 2-1/2 years on and six months pregnant (painful at times) and have never leaked at any time.

I guess when your supply has settled down at 8-10 weeks you may leak less, if you're a 'leaker'.

Very best of luck. Get some numbers of NCT, LLC etc and meeting times ready for post-natal support.

Hi there!
For me the leaky breast thing was only in the early days and I think once you start to get in sync with the baby's feeding it all calms down as your breasts produce just what is needed. So probably only a couple of weeks but could have been less... but it was 2 and a half years ago now!!

My ds also has a milk allergy (we carry an epi-pen for him) I was offered prescription milk but he didn't go for it at all so I continued breastfeeding him unti he self weaned at 2.3 yrs. I didn't quit or cut down dairy at all and often got through a large bar of dairy milk whilst feeding him!! But I think some breastfeeding babies can be affected by the mother's dairy intake. But luckily not my ds (phew!!)

I think mine was when milk settled down, about 4-6 weeks. My DS was lactose intollerant and i went lactose free, but tbh it made no difference (apart from i lost all my baby weight!!!) he's still on the prescription milk now.

My friend's daughter was lactose intolerant and she did have to stop eating dairy while she was feeding her.

Hi Boris, I am breastfeeding my 6-week-old and have already found that my boobs have 'settled down' and aren't leaking so much. Also, my nipples hurt for the first couple of weeks and now feel fine.

I suggest you ignore anyone who says "if you're doing it right, it shouldn't hurt". All the women I know said it DID hurt to begin with, but it got better after a few weeks.

Thanks all. I was just imagining having to wear breast pads to bed with a bra for 6 months :(
My breasts were so painful and engorged and I guess after the birth I just wanted to try and get settled. I had about 3 midwives try and put her on and they coulndt get her too as well as like you say pip 'if you are doing it right, it won't hurt!' x

When I was in the hospital, three different midwives/breastfeeding councillors gave me advice on breastfeeding. And they all gave me conflicting advice!!

It was the third lady's advice that worked for me so I suspect there isn't a "right way" to breastfeed, but whatever works for you.

My advice would be to ask for advice...and keep on asking and asking until you get the advice that works for you. Ignore the advice that doesn't!!

Brace yourself for it to hurt, but stick with it. And when your milk comes in (on day 3 or 4) your boobs might swell up like Katie Price gone wrong. But I think this is normal - just try to get your baby feeding or express some milk with a pump to relieve the pressure.

Six weeks into it, I'm finding breastfeeding enjoyable and convenient but it DIDN'T come naturally - I had to practice.