question about leaky boobs

[cubasianchica]

So here is my question. This is the first time I will be breast feeding. My boobs have been leaking colostrum for a while now... probably 1 1/2 -2 months. Im due any day now. My question is while you are breast feeding do your boobs still leak? I know you can let down when like you hear your baby cry or something but do they consistently leak for as long as you breast feed? I guess I needed to know if I should stock pile on nursing pads since I plan to feed for at least 1 or 2 yrs. I cant imagine leaking for 2 yrs but I dont know how things work after you are a steady breast feeder...

[ChristyH]

Mine always leaked almost steadily for at least a month or so before they calmed down but I still wore nursing pads for a while because I was paranoid that I would wet all over myself in public.
Some people probably leak longer and some may never leak, I guess you really won'tk know until after the baby is born.

[swiesz]

I leaked a lot with both at first at night because they slept well ffor first 3 months and with my first had to wear pads for a while (few months or so)but with the second i almost never leaked they both seemed to nurse as much although my second never took a bottle and maybe that had something to do with it

[All together ooky]

Yup, leak city. Get some nursing pads. Eventually your breasts will regulate themselves.

[lobster]

I had an oversupply and didn't just leak - I *sprayed* almost constantly for the first six months or so, and I was almost always engorged, even after a feeding. It was only when I got pregnant again when Lynden was 10 months old that my supply finally wound down and then dried up altogether.

Then again, many women in my LLL group have never really leaked at all aside from when their milk came in, so it all depends on your body.

If you DO end up being a leaker, you'll get used to it pretty quickly

[KariM]

I rarely leak during pregnancy but always leak while breastfeeding. With my DS I only leaked about the first six months. Due to DD's erratic feeding patterns I leaked for the first year.

How much you leak and for how long is really variable and you probably wouldn't need to wear pads for 2 years.

I like cotton pads that I can wash. Some mamas really like wool pads. And some use disposable pads.

[limette]

I leaked constantly for the first year. I took to wearing face cloths stuffed into my bra and laying on a towel at night.

[Chinese Pistache]

I leaked for 3 or 4 mths with my first baby. I had a lot of over supply issues that took a while to figure out. With my next babies I only leaked for a month or so until my supply regulated itself. I used both washsble and disposable pads. The disposable ones looked smoother under clothes, imo, so I wore them mostly when I went out and was wearing something fitted.

[mkmama]

I leaked for the first year constantly, especially from my Right, left calmed down and regulated...get pads. I couldn't ever *not* wear a bra...even at night...cuz i had to hold those pads in.

yup. lots of 'em. and change them A LOT b/c you don't want that wettness causing a yeast infection. Yeast loves sweet, dark, wet places...and BM is SWEET, so stock up! I am trying lilypadz for the first time this round...

[nutbee]

also leaked (and sprayed), for about 6 months. Its hard to predict what's going to happen so I suggest getting a small stock pile and then you can add to it as you need. Careful when taking off the disposable kind - they can stick and rip a layer of skin off your nipple (which is as painful as it sounds). And I always washed my nipples after using the bleached whiter than white sposies - worried about chemical residues. There are a few natural, undyed types avaliable though.

Nothing quite like oversupply to keep your washing machine running (wear shirts with busy patterns, the leakage is less visible).

I'd also suggest keeping a receiving blanket or something close by to tuck around you and babe while nursing to collect any leaking or spilling that goes on before the baby does. My baby was not a neat eater either.

[Chinese Pistache]

Originally Posted by nutbee

I'd also suggest keeping a receiving blanket or something close by to tuck around you and babe while nursing to collect any leaking or spilling that goes on before the baby does. My baby was not a neat eater either.

Oh yeah, I remember when I was home and nursing, I would undo both bra flaps and put a cloth diaper around one breast while I nursed on the other side to catch the spray.

[tinyshoes]

and it's funny--breastmilk is STICKY!

The amount of spraying and leaking in the early days/weeks is different than the leaking that happens later on; no need to freak out that the way things are at 3 weeks are the way they'll always be.

[cubasianchica]

great info mamas I had no idea. Im curious about the squirting... I have not experienced this and think its kind of... i dunno... interesting. I would be proud if my supply was that much. So far its just been a few little drops here and there... LOL this might sound stupid but I was so proud I was able to produce those little drops... I guess thats nothing compared to whats coming. Also I noticed my colostrom is yellow.... is that normal... will the color change later on?

[raspberry.swirl]

Colostrum is called 'liquid gold' for its yellow coloring, so it's normal.

Invest in some lily padz, they're these silicone pads that are reusable. I heard a lot about them and found them cheapest at www.supermomz.com. The business is local, So Cal. I can't believe the excellent customer service. I have used them for a week now and being that I am still out in public (working, going to school, etc) it gives me lots of confidence.

[s_kristina]

I leaked tons for about 6 months with my dd, but rarely leaked even in the first 6 weeks pp with my ds. We'll see what happens this time around.