2 min
Updated: May 7
Milk catchers are small, dome-shaped containers. They're worn inside a bra to passively catch surprise leaks. Lactating mothers may leak when their breasts are full, after warm showers, or when pumping or nursing. Milk catchers allow the mother to conveniently save every precious drop of liquid gold.
Passive collection is a way of accumulating milk without active suction. In fact, most milk catchers function without suction. Instead they cradle the nipple and naturally gather the breast's let down.
Yes! Milk catchers are also known as…
breast shells
milk collectors
collection cups
milk savers
It's totally up to the mom and her needs. Breast pads are cozy pieces of fabric making them naturally thinner, while milk catchers are sturdy, but flexible pieces of silicone.
Brands do not recommend wearing milk catchers overnight. Having nipples enclosed in silicone for extended periods can lead to condensation (trapped moisture). This can worsen sore and damaged nipples, and isn't the healthiest for normal ones.
1-5 ounces. Below's a table comparing top brands.
Most brands sell two cups, but you can also buy one at a time.
Every 2-4 hours (if you want to save the milk).
After each use. Most brands recommend hand washing. With a wide mouth milk catchers
are fairly easy to clean. Some are also dishwasher safe.
Loose fitting bras that allow enough room for a little bulk. Nursing tank tops or shelf bras are great too. Whichever bra you choose, try to make sure it can hold the catchers in place, because they can move around.
We unfortunately didn't know about milk catchers during our nursing journey. But if we were to choose one today, we'd try out this brand.