Leaky boobs – tips and tricks for engorged and/or leaky breasts.

Image of The Neptune Fountain at the Piazza Nettuno in Bologna, Italy.

What do you wish you had known about engorgement and leaking?

I wish I had known it was normal! I don’t go by The Leaky Boob for nothing. It was a lot and it was overwhelming. Smelling like sour milk, the uncomfortable experience of letdown, the embarrassment of wet spots on my tops, and the frustration of milk stains made me feel like maybe I was broken and there was something wrong with me.

There’s a lot I wish I had known about leaking.

Over time with my own journey and then in supporting others I learned that leaking is common AND not everyone leaks.

Here’s what I wish I had known about leaking that now I can share with you.

If you’re a leaker like me, don’t worry, there are some steps you can take to help make it a little less annoying.

Here’s a work in progress list:

• • Pressing in on your nipples when you start to leak can stop it.
  • But since that can be REALLY awkward in some settings and sometimes you realize what’s happening too late, nursing pads are a must for me.
  • Get a water resistant/waterproof mattress cover. A towel isn’t likely to cut it (I have and absolutely LOVE the Naturepedic wool mattress cover- cool, breathable, and saves our mattress from all manner of leaks… including my milk. They’re a TLB supporter but this isn’t a sponsored post, it’s just the honest-to-goodness truth that their wool mattress cover is amazing and worth it.) Get the cover. Just do it. More comfortable than soggy towels anyway.
  • Use a collection cup while feeding on one side if you leak from the other and save the milk.
  • Laid back feeding position to help with latching and let-down with engorged breasts.
  • For engorgement, warming packs just before a feed or pumping can help soften the tissue and make let-down easier.
  • A little gentle hand expression before a feed can reduce the forcefulness of letdown making it easier for your baby to latch and stay latched.
  • Using an ice pack on your chest can help reduce discomfort and swelling if you’re engorged.
  • Refrigerated cabbage leaves with snapped spines can help reduce discomfort (but don’t use too often or too long as it can potentially reduce milk supply- 20 min twice a day should be fine.)
  • Reverse pressure softening if tissue is too firm to latch baby.
  • Gentle breast massage before and during a feed may help reduce engorgement.

What would you add?