title: Leaking: a problem of lactation.
abstract: Monthly semi-structured interviews with 61 breastfeeding mothers over the duration of their nursing experience and in-depth interviews with nine additional mothers were conducted. At six months postpartum, 66% of the nursing mothers still experienced leaking breasts, and most mothers expressed negative feeling about leaking. Attempts to manage or control leaking milk were sometimes successful, but the unpredictability of leaking often undermined mothers' confidence and ability to stop or conceal leaking milk. To minimize leaking, mothers frequently used pressure on the nipples and consciously diverted their thoughts or used simple word commands to halt the let-down reflex. For those mothers who leaked for the duration of their nursing experience, coming to terms with leaking was an important part of their breastfeeding experience. Suggestions for further research and implications for practice are included.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Morse
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bottorff
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008893:Milk Ejection; D011247:Pregnancy; D014886:Weaning; D014931:Women, Working