How to Use a Breast Milk Cup – Learning the Hard Way…

by Pia
(Sweden)

After a few days as a new mom, my milk production really started and basically flooded me. I was very happy that it all went so well, but a bit stressed about the leakage.

I had received nursing pads from a thoughtful friend, but when my husband mentioned in passing that he had heard about some sort of breast milk cup that your are supposed to use while breastfeeding, I was sure that was the answer to my problems.

Despite being quite late in the evening I had my whole little family getting dressed and ready to drive downtown to a pharmacy to buy the magical cup.

I found it, and it was whole-heartedly recommended by a pharmacist. I have a vague memory about her talking about storing the milk, but I didn’t really listen. It appeared to be a round plastic cup that fits into your bra and has a whole where you insert your nipple. No risk for leakage. Perfect.

We went home again, and our newborn baby soon wanted to nurse. I opened the package, put the cup on one of my nipples and started breastfeeding our baby on my other breast. I was so relaxed and happy that from now on there would be a complete end to the dark-circled-top–era.

I fed our baby and everything went just great – until I stood up. All of a sudden breast milk was pouring down my stomach! I was startled and had no clue how this could happen. I tried to catch the milk with my free hand and stop it from reaching my trouser, but with every movement I did, more milk came running down.

My husband, who was on the phone, saw what happened and quickly came to take our baby.

When I finally had both hands free, I lifted my top and bra and looked at the breast milk cup. Still nicely attached, wet and – empty. Then I realized what had happened; I had put it on upside down. On one side there was a tiny spout, obviously for emptying the cup into some sort of storage container. I hadn’t seen it and I sure hadn’t spent a minute thinking of what this cup was really for – collecting breast milk for storage.

Big laughter – at least by my husband. Now I can smile at the memory of myself completely chocked over sensing warm liquid all over my stomach despite just having found the perfect solution for breast milk leakage…

So, my tip of the day – if you are to use a breast milk cup, don’t put it on upside down...

And second tip – don’t use a breast milk cup. Really. Nursing pads (double if you have to) are much more convenient! (Unless you actually do want the milk, of course.)