Managing Leaking While Breastfeeding | Happy Mama Organics

Read time: 4 minutes

• Understand why leaking breastmilk happens

• Learn how to manage and reduce the likelihood of leaking

Leaking milk often happens in the early weeks of breastfeeding. During this time your body is overproducing breastmilk while trying to figure out how much your baby needs. By about 6 weeks, your body has adjusted to making the right amount of milk for your little one and most leaking should stop.1

But leaking can still happen at any age and stage of breastfeeding, especially when there is a change in your child’s feeding needs or schedule.

What causes breastmilk to leak while breastfeeding?

Scheduled feedings: Regimented feeding schedule (as opposed to feeding on demand) is a common contributor to leaking.1

Emotional triggers: Hearing your baby cry, seeing a picture or video of your baby, or even thinking about your baby may influence a hormonal response to release milk.2 Some women feel a tingling or ‘zinging’ sensation just before milk is released.3 This is the let-down, or Milk Ejection Reflex.

Breast storage capacity: Smaller breasts have a smaller capacity to store milk. Think of it as a container: A smaller container will hold less milk at a time. This doesn’t mean that they make less milk over all, it simply means that babies may need to breastfeed more often from women with smaller breasts.4 Going too long between feeds will mean the ‘container’ will spill over: This is the leaking of breastmilk.

Oversupply: If you are over-producing milk, you might leak more frequently, and this often continues for longer than the first 6 weeks.5

While breastfeeding: Some experience a let-down and then leaking while feeding from the opposite breast.5

Change in feeding times: As your baby gets older and goes longer periods between feeds (like sleeping through the night, fingers crossed!), you may initially leak around the time your baby used to feed. The good news is that once your body adjusts to the new feeding schedule, the leaking will subside.

Learn more:

Should I Breastfeed On Demand or on a Schedule?

What is Breastmilk Oversupply and How to Manage It

Breastfeeding: How to Support a Good Milk Supply

Having trouble with leaking breastmilk? Our team of registered dietitian nutritionists, fellow moms, and lactation specialists are available from Monday – Friday 8 am – 6 pm (ET). to help walk you through some tips. Chat now!

Bring extra clothes and try nursing pads

First things first, be prepared! Wearing layers can help to camouflage any surprise leaks. Try a nursing tank under a looser shirt or bring an extra shirt or sweater with you.

You can also try disposable or reusable cloth nursing pads. Be sure to change these once they are wet.