Leaking Milk

The absolute best is a two-part answer: Lilypadz and Lansinoh. You re-use the lilypadz. They are silicone, so very easy to use. But I found that I still leaked... it was just contained in the pad. When I removed the pad, there was a small waterfall! When I didn't want to deal with it, I used Lansinoh pads. They do not show through clothes, are very absorbant, and you can get them anywhere. They're awesome!

Lilypadz!!! I don't know what I would have done without them! They're silicone so they actually stick to you and prevent the milk from coming out. And you can wash them with soap and water (I just did it every time I took a shower) and you can sanitize them by soaking them in distilled white vinegar. Just make sure that you do wash them at least once a day so they don't get icky, and it's best if you don't use soap with moisturizers in it. I only needed one pair the entire time I nursed. They truly were one of the most important baby items I ever used!!! Here's their website:

http://www.lilypadz.com/index1.html

And I know they sell them at Kangaroo Kids on Manchester in the Glendale / Kirkwood area. They are WONDERFUL as a nursing resource!!!Their website is:

http://kangarookidsonline.com/

I nursed my youngest for three months. During that time, I wore a nursing bra with disposable nursing pads at all times. You can get them anywhere, Target, Babies r us, etc. Get the big ones that will cover more of your breast. Johnson and Johnson or Lanosil are good. Just change them as you would a sanitary pad, every 4 to 6 hours depending on how saturated they are. It is more expensive than the cloth I'm sure, but worth it to not have any embarrassment from leaking. I had to continue using them for about 2 months after I quit nursing. Also, if expense is a concern, just use them when you go out and at night and use the cloth ones when you are home. Also, as the leaking wanes, you can change them less frequently.

A., congrats on your new baby! i remember the leaking. ack! i never could use the reuseable pads for the exact reasons your describing. i had to use disposables b/c i found they were much more absorbent. when i was home, the reunsables were fine, b/c i could nurse on demand...but being at work 8 hours of a day and pumping at normal feeding times, i couldn't have leakage....i do have to ask this tho. are you not nursing her when you're out, for personal reasons? is it just not convenient? not sure if you're aware but many places would allow you a private, secluded area to nurse her. honestly the best way to avoid the leakage is just nurse her to at her usual times relieve the milk pressure. or pump. also something else to think about, not nursing or pumping at her "usual nursing times" can also cause reductions in your milk supply. just fyi if you didn't know that. good luck!

It is very common to have leaked in the night since you are going longer between nursings. You need to get good pads as others have recommended. Also, if you feel yourself letting down in public (in response to another baby crying or thinking of your baby) if you hold your forearm to your chest to put a little pressure on your breast it will stop the milk from coming out. The other thing you want to do is not pump too much because your body will interpret that as a need for more milk and you will be in a viscious cycle or always being too full. Hope that helps.

I also had a lot of trouble with leaking and I just wanted to give you hope--it will get better! I've been nursing for 2 months now and I usually don't leak much at all now, as long as I can pump or nurse at close to the usual times. Your body will adjust. Lilly Padz and disposable Lansinoh were the best.

Good for you for sticking with it!

About twenty years ago when I first started nursing I found out if I position a panty liner where you could not see it in the inside of my bra with the sticky side towards the fabric it worked well and you can get about 10-20 of them for a dollar. No one could see them through my clothes, and they held in leaks well.. If they are too long you can cut them in half and double the savings. My daughter has tried them also and it stll works. hint try placing them vertically in your bra....

I cant remember the name of the pads i used but they were great. You can always pump before you go out in public it may stop the leaking. The best way to stop the leaking is Nurse Nurse Nurse. Its your body telling you that you need to either pump or nurse.