You will leak. How much totally varies person to person AND it doesn’t normalize until like month 3. Frankly, nothing normalizes until month 3.
Boob Pads
The bamboo washable ones are good but not AS absorbent and you’re supposed to change them as soon as they get wet. I buy cheap ones in bulk on Amazon and just cycle regularly. They’re nice at home to be able to shove in bra/swap out quickly. And they’re generally gentler on nips. If they’re bugging you, switch to a gentler baby detergent.
I like the disposable Lansinoh ones personally, but they can be irritating for the first several weeks as your nips are getting used to being abused. Nipple cream can help.
Our picks: Boob Pads: Disposable vs. Washable.
Nipple Cream & Lanolin
Nipple cream was never a huge hit for me, but was nice to have occasionally when they were super chafed feeling. I know other folks who SWEAR by this, so worth a try for sure. I do like the Earth Mama brand.
Lanolin is a specific type of nipple cream. I never liked it. Too greasy for me. But again folks swear by it so worth a shot!
Our picks: Nipple Cream.
Lansinoh Soothing Gel Pads
THESE. OMG THESE.
Someone gifted me a pair of these with Cleo that I never used. Because I am dumb.
I found them in my stuff with Mouse and used them on a whim and OMG. Immediately soothed sore nips. AND they absorb leaks. They’re not absorbent enough and are too expensive to be a boob pad alternative. But they’re amazing for recovery and super nice to wear if you say go get a massage postpartum and don’t want to leak all over the table.
Our full take: Lansinoh Soothies Gel Pads.
Engorgement
Ouch. It will happen. It’s uncomfortable at best, painful at worst. A few things:
Ice is your friend. Get boob ice packs. Lansinoh makes good ones. Feeding from a rock hard boob is hard for baby. Hand express into a burp cloth until boob is a little softer so your kid can actually latch.
If you decide to pump it off, only pump until you aren’t a rock. You don’t want to trick your body into thinking you needed to make that extra milk. Can cause oversupply. Which everyone thinks is a “good problem”. It is not.
Our pick for boob ice packs: Boob Ice Packs.
Clogged Ducts & Mastitis
It can be hard to tell the difference here. Work with your OB if it’s anything other than a minor inconvenience.
A clogged duct is just that: a swollen, clogged section that needs to be relaxed. But also, boobs aren’t a series of pipes. They’re more like a web. You can’t suck/push hard enough to like, release it. There is no Heimlich for the boob.
The advice for this has changed very recently. They used to say massage toward nip/heat. Now the advice is ice and gentle massage away from nip if needed. Ibuprofen to reduce swelling if it’s painful.
Mastitis presents really similarly but can also be an infection. Often has a red patch. Mastitis sometimes needs antibiotics. And you’d rather address sooner than later. Really truly work with your healthcare provider if you even suspect mastitis.
In all cases (unless your doc says otherwise) it’s fine to nurse/pump through either clogged duct or mastitis. And probably helpful.
Note: Work with your OB or lactation consultant on any of this. This is what worked for us, not medical advice.
More in our All Things Breastfeeding & Pumping guide.