Can using breast pads effectively relieve spontaneous milk leakage?

Generally speaking, when breast milk leakage is caused by normal physiological reactions during lactation or mild breast stimulation, using nursing pads can effectively alleviate the issue. However, when breast milk leakage is caused by serious diseases, nursing pads alone may not resolve the problem. If abnormalities occur, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed explanation is as follows:

Breast milk leakage during lactation may be caused by increased secretion of oxytocin due to infant sucking stimulation. At this time, nursing pads can absorb excess milk, preventing clothes from becoming wet, and helping maintain dryness and comfort of the breasts. In addition, nursing pads can prevent breast milk from contacting clothing, reducing bacterial growth and helping maintain cleanliness of both the breasts and clothing, thereby lowering the risk of infection.

However, if breast milk leakage is caused by serious conditions such as hyperthyroidism or pituitary dysfunction, it may lead to hormonal fluctuations in the body that trigger milk secretion. In such cases, although nursing pads can absorb excess milk, they cannot address the underlying cause. At this point, patients need to follow a physician's guidance to adopt treatment methods such as medication or surgery to control the disease and improve symptoms. Additionally, if there are wounds or allergic reactions on the breast area, using nursing pads may cause symptoms such as stinging or itching at the affected site, which may hinder recovery.

When using nursing pads, it is important to monitor any changes in the breasts. If noticeable symptoms such as swelling, pain, or fever occur, use should be stopped immediately and medical attention sought. At the same time, nursing pads should be replaced promptly and not used for extended periods to maintain dryness and hygiene of the breasts.