Your body undergoes a lot of changes during pregnancy and after delivery. If you are a breastfeeding mom, it is likely that you will experience breast milk leakage at some point of time. Breasts leaking during pregnancy (later stages) is normal, it is just your breasts preparing for breastfeeding. During postpartum, many mothers experience leaking of breast milk. It may be a minor trickle or even a spray of milk as the breasts get used to producing breast milk and adjusting production to meet the feeding requirements of the baby.
Breast milk leakage does not cause any harm, and often only occurs for short durations of time. However, it can be embarrassing particularly when visible on clothes. There are some simple measures that you can take to minimize the mess caused by leaking breasts.
- Opt for clothes that are not tight-fitting and in darker colours so that the milk marks are easily camouflaged
- Use a mattress protector or padded sheets to absorb breast milk leakages that may occur during the night.
- Contain the breast milk leakage from spreading on your clothes by using breastfeeding pads inside your bra.
An easy and convenient way of combating breast milk leakage is by using maternity breast pads. Most mothers consider breast pads to be an important breastfeeding accessory, similar to nursing bras and breastfeeding covers.
The breast pads or nursing pads for breastfeeding are placed over your nipples inside the nursing bra to absorb any milk that may be leaking from the breasts. Breast pad usage depends on the amount of breast milk that is leaked. It is advisable to change the breast pad at least once every day, even if it is extremely absorbent.
Breast Pads are of many types including reusable, disposable, silicone and hydrogel pads.
- Reusable breast pads are breathable and machine washable pads that are cost effective because they can be used more than once. Since they do not contain adhesive to hold them in place, they may not be able to absorb the breast milk leakage completely.
- Disposable breast pads are discreet and thin pads that come individually wrapped and are disposed of after a single use. These pads are hygienic and convenient to use. PIGEON Breast Pads are slim and light disposable breast pads that contain a quilted honeycomb lining and non-adhesive tapes to keep the pads in place.
- Silicone breast pads are pads that put gentle pressure on the breasts to prevent leakage and can be worn even without a bra as they have a sticky surface that adheres to the breast and stays in place. They are preferred for use by mothers while swimming.
- Hydrogel breast pads are disposable pads that are formulated to cool the nipple and areola on contact. The single-use, individually wrapped pads are stored in the fridge till they need to be used.
Breast milk leakage in breastfeeding mothers may occur in very small quantities, maybe a few drops, or as a heavier flow. Very few mothers do not experience leakage at all. Each mother’s body is different and each pregnancy of the same mother may be different. Some mothers experience leakage only for a few days/weeks till the body gets used to the baby’s feeding schedule. However, some mothers also experience leakage for 9-12 months after delivery. It is best to be prepared with breast pads that can contain heavy leakage.
Even if you are bottle feeding your baby on formula from the time of delivery, you may still have leaking breasts after delivery. This is usually in the first few weeks after delivery when the body adapts to changes after pregnancy. Just like during a sudden weaning process, it is important to use a breast care pump to express some quantity of milk from the breasts so as to avoid plugged milk ducts and engorgement which can cause a lot of pain.
Maternity breast pads or nursing pads are an important part of a new mother’s post-delivery checklist – or pregnancy checklist since some mothers experience leaking breasts during pregnancy as well. Using good quality breast pads with good absorption helps mothers to go about their routines with more confidence and without feeling self-conscious due to milk stains.
