Re: Continuously leaking areolar piercing...

[Guest guest]

What about an avent breast shield.... making a hole in the part where her breast

is leaking, then the shield could collect the milk (but not feed it to the

baby)...

Or Lilypadz? I've never suggested Lilypadz b4 because I've thought it could

decrease milk supply... but it apparantly stops leaking in all forms. Would also

be concerned about thrush though but no more than with breast pads really...

Or taping the pierced area, with medical tape that wont leak, yet is gentle on

skin? then just take the tape off whenever the baby feeds, put it back on when

he's done?

Laser surgery or minor cauterising surgery may be a good long term solution

though, as you suggested

this is the type of thing that could be a mixed blessing though... she'll

probably never suffer from low milk supply! -constant milk removal : )

also if it's still in the early 6 weeks, maybe it will stop on it's own later?

I'd wait at least 2 months personally before considering surgery....

good luck!

>

> Cross-posting from Lactnet and LCinPP

>

> Hello great minds!

>

> I'm writing with the hope that Lactnet's collective wisdom can help me with a

tricky situation.

>

> I've been contacted by the mother of a 7 day old who is continuously leaking

from a hole on her areola created when she had her nipple pierced years ago. I

haven't seen her, so am relying on her description of the location of the

piercing; she tells me it is just past the base of the nipple, on the areola.

When the baby is nursing, it is inside his mouth. When he is not nursing, it is

continuously dripping. She has been wearing a menstrual pad (don't know if a

light or heavy flow one, plus three breast pads and has to change them every

hour because they soak through. Needless to say, this is very uncomfortable for

her.

>

> When I spoke to her, my first thought was that there's probably not much that

can be done here...

>

> Upon further thought, only two possible things to consider have occured to me:

>

> 1. Maybe she can put gentle pressure on it after feedings with her fingertip

for ten minutes or so, to see if the flow will be reduced or stopped until the

next letdown.

>

> 2. Possible future surgical closing of the hole.

>

> I have no idea whether either of these would be advisable or work. It seems to

me that the first idea might help some. I have told this mom that, probably, as

time passes and her breasts are not on immediate postpartum overdrive to make

milk, the leaking will slow down. Of this, I am also not so sure. She knows that

this is an unusual situation and I was honest in telling her that I am just

thinking of possible ideas without having any experience or evidence.

>

> So, brilliant friends, anybody have other ideas or experience with something

like this? Your suggestions would be MOST appreciated. I told this young mom

that I would look into this and email her in the next couple of days with any

further information...

>

> Thanks for helping!

>

> Best,

>

> Ana

>

> Ana Estorino Uribasterra, IBCLC

> www.lovingstartlactationservices.com

> South Florida, USA

>