Breast milk leaks can happen for a variety of reasons, especially early on while breastfeeding or pumping. These milk leaks might soak into a breast pad and be lost or spilled, or they might cause soreness of the nipple (if the pad touches the nipple). If this is a regular occurrence, you may want to consider investing in a breast milk leak catcher to make things more manageable.
Essentially, a breast milk leak catcher is a cup that is worn underneath your bra to collect your breastfeeding leaks and store them for later use. These breast leak catchers can be reusable or disposable, and they are a lot more discrete than a traditional nursing pad that is typically seen when breastfeeding in public. The Elvie is one such product, and it works pretty much like a breast pad by collecting the breast milk and holding it until you can safely transfer it to your baby.
It also works passively, meaning that you can place it inside your bra without applying suction and still have it collect the milk that would otherwise be lost to a breast pad. Then, if you do need to apply suction, you can simply squeeze it and “pump” the collected milk away from your nipple and into the collection container.
The Elvie is available in several different capacities, allowing you to collect from light to heavy breast leaks. When you are done with the milk, it can be easily transferred into a bottle or breastmilk storage bag using its handy plug at the top.
Most other milk leak catchers work in a similar way to the Elvie, but they connect to the breast with a nipple-like flange, which can put pressure on the nipples and areola and cause pain. This type of design also strains the nipple and can increase your risk of clogged nipple ducts, which can lead to mastitis. A reusable option that avoids this issue is the kindestCup, which uses a unique shape to prevent pressure from building up and putting stress on the nipple.
The ladybug milk collector is another great option for preventing breast leaks while breastfeeding or pumping. It also uses a special shape to maximize the amount of milk it can collect from your breasts. It also works passively and actively, meaning that you can simply place it in your bra and leave it to collect the leaking breast milk or you can apply pressure by sucking the collected milk out of the cup to stimulate your breasts for a boost in milk supply. The ladybug is also a more discreet option than some of the other breastfeeding leak catchers on the market. Depending on your outfit and bra size, it can be very difficult to tell you’re wearing one, even when it is full. It’s a good choice for mothers who have to spend a lot of time in public with their babies and who need to be discrete about how much milk they are producing.
