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Roxanne
Q:
My baby is 4 weeks old
and we are a happy nursing pair. The only thing I hate about it is having
to wear a bra 24 hours a day. If I don't,
my breasts leak like mad
all over my clothing. I have to put one on immediately after stepping out
of the shower or else I'm swabbing up breastmilk! I sleep in one
(granted it's comfy) but miss the "freedom" from before. Is there a point
at which the leaking tapers off? Please say yes!
k
Dear k:
This is a very
short answer to your email, as I'm not a lactation expert, just another
mum, but here's what I've heard:
production settles down and become more self regulating
(ie, milk only showing up when you need it) for MOST people around 6 to 9
weeks postpartum. But you may be one of the lucky few who just leak
forever. Before you bemoan that, let me tell you two things.
-
My early
memories of both babies (Cameron is SIX today! and Lila is 3 next month)
is just being constantly damp -- from milk, pee, or vomit. Oh, and
sweat. And that didn't last forever.
-
The other
thing is that I used to have huge knockers on a little body (32DD and I
weigh around 110 and am short) and after two pregnancies, I no longer
need a bra. If I could find one small enough to fit these deflated
balloons. :0 So it's always something, but be proud of the fact
that your something is making your baby bigger and healthier every day.
(I bet a
dollar things will settle down by fall. Lemme know) But here's a tip to
get you through the night.
Sleep on one of those
waterproof baby pads you can buy everywhere
(not the disposable ones ... the ones that are like flannel + rubber)
covered by a folded up beach towel. That'll buy you a couple hours of
freedom for the girls! Also, collect that liquid gold (try the Avent hand
pump -- super easy) and freeze it for one day in the distant future when
you and daddy want to go to a movie. Good luck!
Take care,
Roxanne
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