I've been breast feeding my 6 week infant and have recently transitioned to exclusively pumping, as I will be returning to work soon and have found the nursing to be quite painful with 2 hour feedings at times in the evening. Now on occasion I will breast feed if he does not get enough from his bottle - mostly during the evenings. I'm on fenugreek which has also been helping with supply, but I find that I'm still leaking during the evenings and wanted to see if anyone had tips on decreasing and/or completely stopping that.
Hi J.,
I was thinking the same thing as the first post....I would nurse when home and pump at work. Your milk supply will adjust to your routine...including the leaking. You could also use the leaking time as a good time to pump if you need the milk.
Good luck!
IN case you were misinformed, you don't have to exclusively pump just because you are going back to work. I can't imagine how time consuming that must be. You would obviously pump while at work but you can nurse at home. Your baby is so much more effective than even the best pump so I would imagine you'd have to pump more often than your baby would nurse to keep up with his or her appetite. I can't help you on the leaking other than to tell you once your baby gets older, your supply figures itself out and you should stop leaking.
I have a 13 month old who is exclusively breast fed and I work Full-Time. You can nurse while at home (morning and night) and then pump at work. Why not spend the time at home bonding and cuddliing with your little one while nursing rather than pumping and then giving a bottle? I agree that it takes a while for your supply to work itself out. So the leaking is completely annoying and it is understandable for you to want that to end. Be patient and use breast pads. I found that the additional barrier between my nipples and bra was helpful in stopping leaking. PS The painful nursing won't last forever. I found that it took 6-8 weeks to be comfortable with it. Stick it out though - it is worth it!.
I still leak and consider that ok, since the alternative is that my milk may slow or stop. I prefer the Medela breast pads over the Lanosil, personally, as I think they don't feel as wet and last longer.
I've bought a few nursing tank tops from Target (they're like $18) and wear these at night with the pads or even just stuff a cloth diaper in there, across, to catch the overflow/drips. I also like to nurse during the night with our daughter in bed with us.
If it's hurting you, he could be latching poorly. Get some advice from a lactation consultant or go to a La Leche Meeting (they list their phone numbers so you can also call these fellow moms for advice).
You are lucky to have an excess supply! I would grin and bear it, use nursing pads. You can get ones that are comfy to sleep in - called lillypadz from Motherhood Maternity.
