Frequent milk leaks since I’ve been breastfeeding: how to manage them?

Milk leaks during breastfeeding? Yes, it happens! And it even becomes routine for some moms! We are all different, and for some, leaks during breastfeeding can be frequent, or even constant... But this is completely normal, especially in the first few weeks after childbirth.

How to manage it? Here are 3 solutions to help you deal with it.

Why do we experience milk leaks?

Know that milk leaks can happen even before baby is born! Some pregnant women notice colostrum, a thick, yellowish liquid, leaking. This is normal, and we explain why in our dedicated article!

After birth, this often occurs during the first few weeks, especially during the initial milk surge. It’s likely that milk will leak from your breasts even when baby isn't breastfeeding. These leaks simply happen because your breasts are full of milk. Typically, it happens when you wake up, and baby hasn’t nursed in a while. In other cases, milk might leak from one breast while you're breastfeeding from the other!

Milk leaks can also occur when you hear your baby cry: this is called the "let-down reflex"! Your body instinctively prepares to feed your little one. It’s a biological reflex that increases blood flow to your nipples, and as a result, it can cause milk to leak.

So, what can we do to prevent milk leaks?

Here are 3 effective solutions for managing milk leaks:

➡️ Breastfeed on demand: Offer the breast to baby whenever they ask for it. This might seem a bit tricky at the beginning of breastfeeding, as baby sleeps a lot right after birth. Like you, the event has tired them out, and they need to recover. So, as soon as your little one shows signs of waking up, don’t hesitate to offer the breast (baby moving, putting their hands to their mouth...).

➡️ You can express a little milk: This helps reduce the pressure in your breasts and, most importantly, prevents those dreaded leaks. If you’ve decided to pump your milk, you can use either a manual or electric breast pump, depending on your preference.

➡️ Always have nursing pads on hand: Whether washable or disposable, place them in your nursing bra to prevent stains on your clothes. Be sure to change them regularly.

What about breast shells?

These are an alternative to nursing pads, especially if you experience heavy milk leaks. You place them between your breast and nursing bra. The added bonus? They also collect milk during feedings. You can store this milk in the freezer to be used later by your baby.