Leaking breasts

Leaking breast milk during and in between breastfeeding is normal. Most mums leak only during the early weeks of breastfeeding until breast milk production has stabilised.

Ingela Ågren

Read time: 1 m

Verified by Ingela Ågren

Certified Midwife

Leaking breastsPhoto: Preggers

When you are breastfeeding, the let-down reflex will start in both breasts, which is why you can notice one breast leaking while the baby is feeding on the other. To dampen the let-down reflex in the breast and stop it from leaking, try pressing a finger against the nipple (as if you were pressing a button) or hold your hand against the breast for a while.

There are breast milk collection shells that can be put in the bra on the side you are not feeding on. The shells collect the leaking milk, which can be put in the freezer and used at a later stage.

To avoid getting stains on the clothing, you can put nursing pads in your bra. These are available both as disposables and as cloth pads. Change pads often if the leakage is severe, to keep the areola from staying damp and developing nipple soreness and fungal infections.

Ingela Ågren

Verified by Ingela Ågren

Certified Midwife

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