let down from both sides at once

[shan23]

Does it ever end?

Breastfeeding has been absolutely perfect from our very first breastfeed, I've had zero issues & have been exclusively bf-ing since DS was born 4 months ago and plan to bf for the long term.
But whenever I get let down, the side I'm not feeding from goes as well. Will it ever stop?! I'm so sick of wearing breastpads, they make me itch! Or I forget to put them on when I go out, feed and then get a lovely big wet patch on my shirt hahaha.

I feel I am doomed to wear breastpads forever! Lol

[Just Me]

Have you tried cloth breastpads? I found they worked really well for me after the first six weeks and they don't itch as much.

I also only use them now while I am feeding and not all the time. Just put some in your nappy bag and when you start feeding just put it in the side you are not feeding on. I don't get random let down anymore like I did in the first six weeks but still enough for a breastpad while I am feeding. If I forget my breastpad, I move my shirt up on that side too so the wet patch isn't right over my nipple.

Let down on the otherside usually stops around six months for me, but not for the first feed every morning. I have always had let down during the first feed of the day for as long as I breastfeed but I am at home and in bed so I usually have breastpads where I can reach them.

[Starfish]

Everyone is different, but I think JM is right in saying that letdown on the other side does stop at around six months (if it happens at all). So it will pass.

You can also give the ABA helpline a call and they may have some ideas about what you can try.

[onthefly]

It's quite normal. I'm not sure if it stops, or just becomes less forceful so doesn't actulaly come out unless there's sucking.
Do you apply pressure on the other side when feeding?

[Feijoa Mum]

Lady P is now 15mths and it is only in the last probably two months that I have stopped leaking on the otherside!
I was rocking the breastpads or the wet spot all that time. Even now if she doesnt have a decent feed before she goes to bed at night I will still leak from the otherside during her morning feed.
I hope yours stops long before mine did but just giving you a heads up it may not

[Eenee]

Sorry no help because I stopped leaking after 2weeks I still feel letdown in both on occassions but I don't leak and haven't since DD was 2weeks. I was kinda sad cos I didn't get to use my lovely cloth breast pads.

[Calluna]

Not sure when it stopped but I used to put pressure on my nipple when I felt it coming and usually it stopped before I started leaking.

[peanutter]

when not out, I sometimes would position an EBM cup to collect the non-feeding side and collect it ...

otherwise, yeah, I had to wear breast pads pretty much until I stopped feeding.

I also found cloth ones didn't itch much at all, if at all.