If you are currently breastfeeding your baby and notice leaking breast milk, you might wonder as to why it is happening. Breast milk leakage mainly happens due to the overproduction of milk. So much so that it starts to leak out of the breast. This situation might cause mothers to worry about their ability to breastfeed. But this is a common symptom seen in women who produce more milk than what is required by their baby. However, it can be treated easily with the help of certain tips and tricks. Read on to know more about the causes, treatment, and prevention of breast milk leakage.
What Causes Breast Leakage During Lactation?
It is normal for breasts to leak after delivery and during regular breastfeeding. Here are a few reasons why it happens. The hypothalamus takes time to adjust to the production of oxytocin, which leads to random leakage of breast milk during the first few days to a week postpartum. While breast milk leakage is normal after delivery and lactation, it is not permanent and stops eventually.
How Long Does Breast Leakage Last?
Breast milk leakage postpartum and when breastfeeding usually lasts for a week to two weeks (5). It is unlikely that the leakage continues for a month since a couple of weeks is all that is needed to synchronize demand and supply of breast milk. Your body slowly strikes a balance between the baby’s demands and milk production thus regulating the output of hormones accordingly. While the milk leakage stops eventually, it can be a cause of worry in some situations and warrants a doctor’s attention.
When To See A Doctor For Breast Milk Leakage?
It is good to see a doctor for breast milk leakage in the following situations:
The milk discharge makes it difficult for you to breastfeed your baby. It is possible that the baby is not getting sufficient milk due to the milk leakage. The breasts feel sore, inflamed, and painful most of the time. You experience a burning sensation in the breasts every time there is a discharge from the nipple.
The nipple discharge is white or contains blood. It could be a sign of mastitis, which is an infection of the milk lobules (6). The breasts have a lump and are hard to touch. You have a breast implant. In rare cases, the breast implant may rupture within the body and leak its contents in the surrounding tissue (7).
A doctor can review the symptoms and diagnose the condition accordingly. Milk leakage without any of these symptoms is seldom a cause for concern. You can manage the situation at home with some easy measures.
How To Manage And Stop Breast Leakage?
Here is what you can do minimize and control breast leakage (8):
