Breastfeeding During the Summer

For any moms that want to breastfeed in the summer, I HIGHLY recommend Lily Padz. I bought mine from a local hospital but you can get them cheaper online. They're silicone pads that "stick" to your breasts. I SWEAR they really work... the only drawback is when I used them in the summer, and I'd set it down to feed my kids, sometimes a blade of grass or dandelion petal would stick to it and I'd have to peel it off. Oh, and you definitely have to dry your breast off before re-sticking it on. Even though it's a little bit of a bother, they are worth every cent. I could swim, workout, and breastfeed without worrying about giving off that "milk smell" from wearing moist pads all day (like when we would go to the zoo and outdoor fairs). Also, I don't know your size, but the website http://www.biggerbras.com/catalog/bras-lingerie-swimwear.... has really helped me! Good luck!

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Hi J....I'm an avid marathon runner and I breastfeed currently (and did previously with my other two for over a year each). This is what I did. First off, if you are not in the water, wear nursing pads. If you are going to be in the water, just don't wear pads, and nurse before you go in if you're worried about leaking. Chances are, eventually you won't leak so much anyway, because your milk supply will even out and your supply won't be so overabundant. As for running, I wear a sports bra that's a little tighter than my normal bra (but not so tight that it's cutting off your circulation.) I don't normally have this large of breasts when I am not nursing, and I find that while I'm running I get crampy feelings where my breasts are bouncing. It's very annoying and one less thing I want to have to think about. I also wear a yoga tank with a built-in sports bra over the top for extra support. I use the Champion C-9 line from Target. I do like them. I also have a couple from Scheels (the women who work in this dept. are usually experienced runners and can recommend a good bra) that I really like. Also, make SURE you nurse your baby before running. The milk will make your breasts bounce more...and in turn make you more achy. LAst of all, make SURE you increase your water intake by a LOT. I find that on days after I run, my milk supply is WAY down if I don't drink enough water. Good luck!! :)

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I've nursed both of my kids for 15 months so I've got some summer tips.

First up is the Lilypadz nursing pads...they're a type that stick to you instead of being lumpy and bulky. They work well as long as you care for them properly. Check them out here: www.lilypadz.com

And as far as a nursing sports bra, the best I've found is the Bella Materna: www.bellamaterna.com/net/Products.aspx?style=1156, but a cheaper alternative is the Le Leche League: http://www.figure8maternity.com/viewItem.cfm?pid=106330

Have a great summer!

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Hi J.
Your breasts will start being used to the supply/demand soon and you will not need to wear the nursing pads much longer. My daughter is now 10 months old and the only time I leak at all is in the morning after it's been about 12 hours since I last nursed her. Sometimes I don't even leak then, but sometimes I do, especially if she's crying when I go to get her. I have never found a good running/nursing bra - but found that I could still pull my breast out above the sports bra that I have and nurse if it was necessary... but usually I want to change and get out of my sweaty clothes after working out and back into my normal garb. As for swimming, I know they do make nursing swimming suits - but honestly - I think your babies are old enough that you could nurse them before you swim (just with your regular suit) and you wouldn't have to worry about leaks or anything since you'll be wet anyways. I am pretty sure it was right around 4 months when my breasts started to really adjust and the need for the pads quickly went away. Don't worry - this does not mean your supply is diminishing, only that you are producing only as much as you really actually need, and it will automatically adjust to more or less depending on how much and how often your babies nurse. If you are much bigger bra-wise than you used to be - it is of course - always worth the investment to get a really good supportive sports bra - oh and I think the extra pressure exerted from the sports bra will keep you from leaking, just nurse before you work out if you feel full. Happy Exercising! Happy Spring :)

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I completely agree with Amber L I got the same sports bra from Target but got it a little small so that it really held me in. I tested them out in the dressing room by jumping up & down! =) You will need all the support you can get when you run because it really hurts if the support is not good. I nursed twins all summer long so I was HUGE up top but that bra did a great job. They are pretty cheap too (17.99) so you are not spending alot of money on something you are only going to wear for a couple of months. Good luck & happy running! =)

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I have breastpads that are called Lilly Padz and I bought mine at Motherhood Maternity. I plan to use mine a lot this summer since my daughter will be over 1 year old and I don't leak as much. They're like plastic pieces that stick onto your breast..however, when I used them when I leaked a lot, they were kind of a pain in the butt. If you're in the pool...you really don't need to wear nursing pads IMO.

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Maybe try www.imaternity.com to see if there are any options for you. I wore a regular, however very strong, sportsbra and put the nursing pads in the bra...due to the bra being VERY supportive, they didn't go anywhere. That bra I had found after consulting with one of the women at Scheels--who are moms and very helpful with this issue. I've known some friends to wear two bras. I hope this helps somewhat.

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Likely you won't need the pads once summer comes along. Most women stop leaking by about 6 months (I wasn't one of them, but...).

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You won't need pads while swimming - the milk will just float away. I used to change into clothes almost immediately after swimming to avoid the problems that went along with breast milk overflow.

Running, however, sounds like a challenge... heavy breasts! Take it slowly. Also, nursing breasts can be held too tightly and you could easily and quickly develop breast infections - VERY painful! Personally, I would walk, not run, until you are done nursing. Squeezing your breasts and their full and filling nodes into a tight bra may have other consequences.

Contact your local La Leche League chapter (in the phone book) for advice and help around nursing issues.

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Lilly Pads are a GREAT alternitive for breast pads. They can be worn with or with out a bra becase they stick right to you. I bought mine online at supermomz.com, they were cheeper than the ones at motherhood and there was free shipping and anytime I can get things deliverd to me, it makes my life a little easier.
My little boy is 10 weeks old and I have started running and the only thing that keeps my "jugs" snug is 2 sports bras. I am also a little bit cheep and don't want to spend 45 bucks on a really good one when two will get the job done. Good Luck.

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I usually just nurse before going in the pool so I don't have to sorry about the pads. Good luck!

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J.,

If you usually wear nursing pads, you might like the Lilly Padz, which are a silcone pad that stick right to your breast and (mostly) prevent leaking by applying pressure to your nipple. You can wear them under a swimsuit. I wore them a TON with my first. I did get kind of sweaty under them, so you will want to wash them every night with hot soapy water to keep them really clean.

Good for you for breast feeding!
Jess

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J.,

The older your baby gets, the less you will need nursing pads, probably not at all by summer. Your chest size will also go down a little, definitely no more engorgement. Get a colorful print thin piece of fabric for a nursing cover, your baby will be covered in sweat if you cover him in a blanket.

Good luck,
S.

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Hi J.!

GOOD FOR YOU for nursing your babies :) and while working FT! You are amazing!!!
I know it's more expensive, but I was really happy with my bras- I purchased them at Nordstroms. They have some great bras!
There is a catalogue that also has wonderful bras for a reasonable price. Motherwear. www.motherwear.com or 1.800.633.0303 The whole catalogue is dedicated to nursing moms. and a HUGE selection of all types bras with 100% satisfaction :)
When I nursed my two kiddies my milk supply evened out without leaking after they started solids (or unless I had missed a few regular nursing sessions).
In the pool, you could just take a shoulder dunk under if you start leaking :)

Hope this helps.
Again, good for you for nursing your babies- it's such a gift to be able to provide that to them. You have the ability and you are making a tremendous effort to do so. Kudos to you!

G. H

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I'd just like to say, "atta girl!" on nursing for 10 months while working FT. I know a lot of women who haven't lasted that long, due to one difficulty or another. It can be very tough at times.

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Beware of going to the pool and not wearing pads if you are a leaker. I was at the lake and someone else was holding my baby. As soon as he started to cry my boobs turned on like a faucet and I leaked right thru the suit and was dripping non stop on my feet. It was a very funny moment, but I am so glad I wasn't in a public place. :)

I would say plan your running for immediately after a feeding so you are the least heaviest. Check into the lactic acid thing too. I think it can get into the milk, but I'm not sure.

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I hated the disposable nursing pads so I bought nursing pads from JC Penney they are made of lace & cotton and there were several sets in the package so I didn't run out while some were in the laundry, and with cloth ones you don't have to worry about wearing them in the pool.

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The thing about the pads is that they are to "catch the drip" in case you happen to leak in between nursing. If you're in the pool and your top will be wet anyway, the pads won't really matter in the same way as if you were wearing a thin white blouse that would show a dribble of milk as a huge flashing neon sign.

Also, you may notice as your body adapts to the rhythms of baby's hunger that the drips become less frequent.

Good luck with all of the many challenges of parenting.

Brightest blessings!

C.

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I was coming here to recommend www.lilypadz.com but other people did too! They had a display at the baby expo in LA in 2003 or 2004. I purchased their product and loved it. Their customer service is wonderful on top of a great product.

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If you're in the pool I wouldn't worry about nursing pads.

Do you tend to leak? That tends to stop after a couple of months once the feeding is established. You may be able to stop wearing the nursing pads. :) One less thing to worry about!

I had my son on late April and I found cute and not too expensive nursing tank tops at Target. I think they were around $17.00 and came in black, white and grey. I basically LIVED in those the entire Summer.

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I would try Lilypads. They work really well for water activities, however I had lots of problems with them leaking if they were used for extended periods of time.

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Hi J.. I agree with many of the moms on here about summer nursing especially that you will need the pads less as your baby gets older. When at the beach or at the pool, remember to wipe your breasts off before nursing since there will be sand or chlorine residue. A light blanket is nice too for sun protection and privacy - there are nice weighted ones available that will stay on your shoulder should a breeze come by. Enjoy!

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I wouldn't worry about wearing nursing pads in the pool. I would try to feed your little one before you did the activities that you are used to doing.

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I bought my nursing bra's at Target and they have the sport's bra's. I did not wear them out much - but I did wear them at night and sometimes during the day. I would recomend going to Target - they at least don't cost an arm and a leg and they have lasted. I am due again in June and have been wearing mine for a couple of months now. Hope this helps.

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HI J. -
It looks like you've already received some great advice. I have a 4 1/2 month old son and have been working out. I have found the Sports Nursing Bra by La Leche League International is a great bra. It's the right price (I found mine online), it's good support and it's comfortable (even to sleep in). I take an aerobics class that does a lot of jumping and I find that b/c I have a bigger size - it's best to wear 2 bras so that I have the support. The other bras that I LOVE are Bravado nursing bras.
I remember taking swim lessons with my daughter when she was a baby and I never wore any nursing pads while in the water. I usually wore a pretty supportive swimsuit (normally dark in color) just in case of any mishaps. But, like others said . . . rarely was there any leakage after about 6 months until I started weaning. The lily padz work great but they are a bit of nuisance when out in public if you have a leaking issue. The milk collects in any air bubbles you have. I mainly wear mine if I don't wear a nursing bra - they seem to fit great b/c they aren't bulky and I just wear them under my regular bras which I wear sometimes if I'm going out.
Good luck to you!

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I nursed my first daughter through the summer (she was born in April). I am lucky, as soon as my girls were on a good feeding schedule and my milk regulated I never leak and do not need to wear nusing pads. However, I have heard good things about Lily Padz. They are a silicone type texture and work because they put pressure on the nipple so the milk cannot come out. They are alittle spendy but are reusable and you can wear them with swinsuits and dresses that do not allow you to wear a bra. You can find them online but I think I have also seen them at Motherhood Maternity. I think they are around $20 a pair.

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I loved Lily Pads!!! It'd be worth a shot.

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For sports bras, I highly recommend the "moving comfort" brand, especially the Mia bra; it adjusts to loosen/tighten the straps and the straps go over the shoulders, not a racer back, so no rubbing on your collar bone. You can also order them on line through a company called title nine, there it is the 3 reasons for support bra (same bra as mentioned above). It is spendy, but worth it. I used this bra to train and run half marathons while I was nursing my kiddos (and I am huge when I'm nursing...), but I can adjust it so that it still works as I train now (finally not nursing anyone)! Blessings!

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Well, everyone else covered the lilypads and the sports bras, but I thought maybe a nursing swimsuit would be a good thing too:

http://www.motherwear.com/cat.cfm/cid/40

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If you are planning on wearing the sports bra just for running/working out I would just wear a regular one. You can fit nursing pads in a normal sports bra if you are worried about leaking. I have no idea what to tell you about the swimsuit thing though! I didn't wear them while swimming and I don't remember leaking through my suit top. No one would notice!
Check out Expressiva nursing wear online. I think they have some good products.

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The thing that worked well for me with my daughter was getting into a routine. After a while, I know when I had to either feed her or pump. It helped to avoid any embarrassing or messy issues that can occur with breastfeeding. As far as nursing pads, I think that they do make plastic ones that catch the milk. Those may work for swimming and such. Let us know if you find anything that works well.

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