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Expert Q&A
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| By Melissa Clark Vickers International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Moms & Babies Huntingdon, Tenn. | ||
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My 22-year-old daughter stopped breastfeeding her 21-month-old son six months ago. She just experienced some milk leakage and was concerned that it may mean something. She has not had leakage in several months. Any suggestions?
My first question for your daughter would be how much milk are we talking about, and under what circumstances did she notice the leaking. If she is spontaneously leaking noticeable amounts of milk, then there are some medical conditions that might cause that and should be looked into. If she just noticed a drop or two during a monthly breast exam, for example, then that is most likely just a normal experience. Many women leak small amounts of milk for months – even years – after weaning their babies.
Some women's breasts are very sensitive to stimulation and respond by making milk after weaning occurs. The stimulation can be anything from clothes rubbing against the nipple to lovemaking!
If your daughter is concerned, it is always appropriate for her to contact her doctor and have it checked out. Sometimes it is worth it for the peace of mind alone.
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