For Moms Hospital & Healthcare Professionals Surgical Care About Medela
You are currently viewing: Medela - English
You can select an alternative Medela website in one of these countries:
Products Articles Medela Family Services Customer voices
Shop

Breastfeeding Tips

Breasts Leaking While Breastfeeding: What To Do

Time to read: 2 min.

We’ve got tips to help you stay dry and comfortable, so you can maintain a positive attitude even when leaks happen.

A young mother nurses her baby while looking down.

Tips For Leaking Breast

Any breastfeeding mom has been there. You’re out and about and you feel a letdown coming on. Soon, your shirt is wet and there’s not much you can do. Don’t worry –  leaking breasts are common while breastfeeding. We’ve got tips to help you stay dry and comfortable, so you can maintain a positive attitude even when leaks happen.

Breastfeed Often

Although inconvenient, leaking breasts are a sign you are lactating properly. Try to breastfeed or pump regularly and not skip feedings or pumping sessions. By frequently expressing milk, you may be able to limit how often or how much your breasts leak.

Change Bra Pads Regularly

Bra pads are a great option for breastfeeding moms because they help you stay dry and comfortable, while also preventing embarrassing stains on your clothes. Just be sure to change your bra pads regularly when they get damp to avoid nipple soreness or a potential thrush infection.

Apply Pressure when Needed

If you feel a letdown coming on at an inopportune time, you can try to discreetly apply pressure to your nipples. Wrap your arms around your body, like you’re giving yourself a big hug. We understand this isn’t the most natural position, but it can be a quick fix until you’re able to put in bra pads or return to a private setting.

Wear Patterned and Layered Clothes

Leaks happen and there will likely come a time when you have some wet spots on your shirt. If you wear patterns, it can make wet marks far less noticeable. We also recommend layering so, if a leak does happen, you can cover it with a sweater or jacket.

Keep a Good Sense of Humor

Leaks can be embarrassing, but try to keep your head up. Many moms have been in your shoes and can identify with you. Try to allow yourself to smile about this silly stage in your journey of motherhood.

Related Products
The Medela Ultra-breathable Nursing Pads have been developed for optimum air circulation.
Breast Care

Ultra-breathable nursing pads

Designed for when you’re experiencing heavy breast leaking – especially soon after your baby’s birth – Medela’s ultra-absorbent disposable nursing pads keep you dry, comfortable and confident, both day and night.

0.0 out of 5 stars.
View product
A 7g Purelan™ lanolin cream from Medela in travel size.
Breast Care

Purelan™ lanolin cream

In the first few days and weeks of frequent breastfeeding, many women experience nipple soreness and dry skin. Purelan™ lanolin cream gives you fast relief for sore nipples and dry skin.

4.5 out of 5 stars. 115 reviews
View product
Medela Milk Collection Shells, facing front and angled left
Breast Care

Milk Collection Shells

If you find you’re leaking breast milk from one breast as your baby feeds from the other, Medela milk collection shells can save this excess milk while you breastfeed.

5.0 out of 5 stars. 2 reviews
View product
The Medela Ultra-breathable Nursing Pads have been developed for optimum air circulation.
Breast Care

Ultra-breathable nursing pads

Designed for when you’re experiencing heavy breast leaking – especially soon after your baby’s birth – Medela’s ultra-absorbent disposable nursing pads keep you dry, comfortable and confident, both day and night.

0.0 out of 5 stars.
View product
A 7g Purelan™ lanolin cream from Medela in travel size.
Breast Care

Purelan™ lanolin cream

In the first few days and weeks of frequent breastfeeding, many women experience nipple soreness and dry skin. Purelan™ lanolin cream gives you fast relief for sore nipples and dry skin.

4.5 out of 5 stars. 115 reviews
View product
Medela Milk Collection Shells, facing front and angled left
Breast Care

Milk Collection Shells

If you find you’re leaking breast milk from one breast as your baby feeds from the other, Medela milk collection shells can save this excess milk while you breastfeed.

5.0 out of 5 stars. 2 reviews
View product
The Medela Ultra-breathable Nursing Pads have been developed for optimum air circulation.
Breast Care

Ultra-breathable nursing pads

Designed for when you’re experiencing heavy breast leaking – especially soon after your baby’s birth – Medela’s ultra-absorbent disposable nursing pads keep you dry, comfortable and confident, both day and night.

0.0 out of 5 stars.
View product
A 7g Purelan™ lanolin cream from Medela in travel size.
Breast Care

Purelan™ lanolin cream

In the first few days and weeks of frequent breastfeeding, many women experience nipple soreness and dry skin. Purelan™ lanolin cream gives you fast relief for sore nipples and dry skin.

4.5 out of 5 stars. 115 reviews
View product
Medela Milk Collection Shells, facing front and angled left
Breast Care

Milk Collection Shells

If you find you’re leaking breast milk from one breast as your baby feeds from the other, Medela milk collection shells can save this excess milk while you breastfeed.

5.0 out of 5 stars. 2 reviews
View product
The Medela Ultra-breathable Nursing Pads have been developed for optimum air circulation.
Breast Care

Ultra-breathable nursing pads

Designed for when you’re experiencing heavy breast leaking – especially soon after your baby’s birth – Medela’s ultra-absorbent disposable nursing pads keep you dry, comfortable and confident, both day and night.

0.0 out of 5 stars.
View product
A 7g Purelan™ lanolin cream from Medela in travel size.
Breast Care

Purelan™ lanolin cream

In the first few days and weeks of frequent breastfeeding, many women experience nipple soreness and dry skin. Purelan™ lanolin cream gives you fast relief for sore nipples and dry skin.

4.5 out of 5 stars. 115 reviews
View product
Medela Milk Collection Shells, facing front and angled left
Breast Care

Milk Collection Shells

If you find you’re leaking breast milk from one breast as your baby feeds from the other, Medela milk collection shells can save this excess milk while you breastfeed.

5.0 out of 5 stars. 2 reviews
View product
Related Articles

Articles that may be of interest

Mother breastfeeding her baby, highlighting the benefits for both mother and child
Breastfeeding Challenges

Too much breast milk? How to reduce oversupply

  • Time to read: 7 min.
Read more
sore nipples and nipples changing colour after breasfeeding
Breastfeeding Tips

How To Create The Comfiest Breastfeeding Station

  • Time to read: 2 min.
Read more
Image of a mother and her newborn with guidance from Medela on essential tips for beginning breastfeeding and ensuring a strong start.
Breastfeeding Challenges

6 breastfeeding problems in the first week – solved

  • Time to read: 8 min.
Read more
Mother breastfeeding her baby, highlighting the benefits for both mother and child
Breastfeeding Challenges

Too much breast milk? How to reduce oversupply

  • Time to read: 7 min.
Read more
sore nipples and nipples changing colour after breasfeeding
Breastfeeding Tips

How To Create The Comfiest Breastfeeding Station

  • Time to read: 2 min.
Read more
Image of a mother and her newborn with guidance from Medela on essential tips for beginning breastfeeding and ensuring a strong start.
Breastfeeding Challenges

6 breastfeeding problems in the first week – solved

  • Time to read: 8 min.
Read more
Mother breastfeeding her baby, highlighting the benefits for both mother and child
Breastfeeding Challenges

Too much breast milk? How to reduce oversupply

  • Time to read: 7 min.
Read more
sore nipples and nipples changing colour after breasfeeding
Breastfeeding Tips

How To Create The Comfiest Breastfeeding Station

  • Time to read: 2 min.
Read more
Image of a mother and her newborn with guidance from Medela on essential tips for beginning breastfeeding and ensuring a strong start.
Breastfeeding Challenges

6 breastfeeding problems in the first week – solved

  • Time to read: 8 min.
Read more
Mother breastfeeding her baby, highlighting the benefits for both mother and child
Breastfeeding Challenges

Too much breast milk? How to reduce oversupply

  • Time to read: 7 min.
Read more
sore nipples and nipples changing colour after breasfeeding
Breastfeeding Tips

How To Create The Comfiest Breastfeeding Station

  • Time to read: 2 min.
Read more
Image of a mother and her newborn with guidance from Medela on essential tips for beginning breastfeeding and ensuring a strong start.
Breastfeeding Challenges

6 breastfeeding problems in the first week – solved

  • Time to read: 8 min.
Read more
A screenshot from the Medela Family App, My Baby screen.
Medela Family logo

Get the app!

The Medela Family app helps you to keep track of your baby’s needs from pregnancy to nursery.


  • Pregnancy
  • Breastfeeding
  • Pumping
​

For the best experience, we advise you to visit your local Medela site.

It looks like you are currently located in Global.
You are currently viewing Medela’s United States website.

Please choose:

Go to Global