Denise, I asked a similar question here a few months ago (when the membership
was less than 10, I think! My how we've grown!) I had gotten their literature in
the mail and found it unsettling to see that they were advertising this as a
"breastfeeding necessity" as if all bf women need one, and perhaps even
throughout their nursing experience.

After the discussion that followed, it made me think long and hard about
leaking--about whether we are SUPPOSED to leak. I've come to the conclusion that
we are supposed to be ABLE to leak, but not necessarily supposed to leak, if you
get my drift. (I've written an article about such for Leaven that has tentative
approval for later this year, by the way).

Many moms will quit because of excessive leaking, and I think we often treat the
subject as if leaking is just a necessary nuisance. Seems to me if a mom is
COMPLAINING of leaking, then we need to investigate WHY she's leaking--is she
postponing feedings? Is she a candidate for overactive letdown and/or
foremilk/hindmilk imbalance that might be causing baby to take lots of milk to
get the calories he needs so mom makes lots to replace? Is she leaking because
she is away from her baby? Is she leaking at the latch-on attempt of a
less-than-proficient nurser?

In any of these circumstances, leaking provides a useful outlet, and may prevent
engorgement or plugged ducts, etc. And look at the practical advice we give to
moms to stop leaking--by putting pressure on the nipple as you would a bleeding
wound. Granted pressure on a wound stops the bleeding, but this certainly
doesn't mean we are SUPPOSED to bleed! And generally if there is bleeding, it is
followed by investigation and treatment to stop the SOURCE of bleeding.

I wrote the B--- company with my concerns, but have as of yet received no reply.
I have no idea how well the product does what it is intended to do; I just
object to the marketing of it as a necessity. I can only think of one (maybe 2!)
necessities required to breastfeed a baby....

Climbing down from the soap box.....

Melissa Vickers, IBCLC
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