Newbie question - How long do breasts leak for?

[Moi]

Hi,

A newbie question. I am BF and wondering how long my breasts will leak for? Will they leak the entire time I BF? Or ease off at some point?

Thanks!

[Ezz]

It will ease off - probably once your supply settle down (within the first 12 weeks or so). I still leaked overnight for a LONG time (I actually only stopped wearing my booby bib a month or two ago), but during the day I haven''t worn breastpads since DS was a newborn (unless I'm going to be skipping a feed).

[SamiH]

Itsme - I leak all the time and don't stop wearing breastpads until around 5 months during the day, when I have a let down it is so strong that if I don't wear them, my other side leaks profusely and I am saturated all through my bra and whatever top I have.

Overnight I leak cos of the break between feeds.

Probably not what you wanted to hear

[Marlene]

I leak all the time and don't stop wearing breastpads until around 5 months during the day, when I have a let down it is so strong that if I don't wear them, my other side leaks profusely and I am saturated all through my bra and whatever top I have.

I am exactly the same...leaking slowed down around 6 months, I still leak occasionaly so if I am going out I will still wear breast pads (when I remember) just in case.
Some women never leak once their milk has settled down...everyone is different.

[Snacks]

I can't quite remember how long it took, but mine did settle down, I think after a few months. But when they were full (like if she had a really good sleep at night or was just too busy to want to feed often enough during the day) then I would leak from the side she wasn't feeding from.

[Jennifer13]

Mine settled down within the first couple of months. Even though I'd feel full when she dropped a bf it didn't leak for me after that.

Everyone is different, but most women stop leaking once their supply sorts itself out, anytime between 6-12 weeks.

[Ezz]

Oh - I should say that I still leak from the other side when I feed. I just use a washer on the other side when I'm at home or a breastpad if I know I'm going to be feeding while we are out. Putting my finger on the non-feeding side during let-down is usually enough to stop the leak - but I like to have the washer/breastpad as back-up.

[Kmn]

still leaking here @ 8 months...

[Spring Angel]

I still leaked until about 9 months and continued to leak when I fed until DS self weaned at 13 months.

Kept the breast pad company's in business.

[Lozza]

i still leak when i'm due to fed and my ds is 4 months old its annoying if you go out for a couple of hours without them and you start leaking i wear breast pads all the time just in case

[Moi]

Thanks for all your replies! I wanted to get an estimate of how long I'd continue leaking for so I know whether to keep stocking up on breast pads or not. Sounds like it's very different for everyone! So I'll have to wait and see.

[Gabi]

My leaking has slowed, but I still leak probably once a day. Not a big leak though. My bub is 5 months old.

[Jaycee]

Itsme - just keep thinking about what a great supply you must have!!
I stopped leaking as soon as my supply settled down around 8-9 weeks I think and I've never leaked since, even when DS skips a feed!

[trini246]

i was wondering the exact same thing..as i leak sooooo much atm! i have leaked through sooo many tops and bras that it isnt funny! that is with even wearing & changing breast pads often...

I hope it settles down sooon