24 Feb Will My Boobs Really Leak?
Are you noticing any small yellow or orange stains? That’s a sign you’re making (and leaking) a little colostrum already. This yellowish, somewhat sticky fluid will be your baby’s first superfood until your real milk comes in, around the third or fourth day postpartum.
Colostrum is a breast fluid produced before breast milk is released. It’s very nutritious and contains high levels of antibodies which promotes growth and health in infants. In short, it’s liquid gold that will very soon feed your bundle of joy.
Your body starts to produce colostrum in the first trimester, but moms-to-be usually don’t start leaking breast milk until closer to the end of pregnancy, if it happens at all when they’re pregnant.
It’s normal and nothing to worry about. You will find this usually happens when your nipples rub against your bra during exercise, or when they’re stimulated in any way -such as during sex.
Your breasts leak during pregnancy because of prolactin, (The hormone responsible for milk production after the birth of your baby), starts revving up while you’re still pregnant, usually in the third trimester.
In fact, your hormones are performing a delicate dance during pregnancy, working hard to stay in just the right balance so that everything – from when you go into labor to when milk production starts – should happen at the right time.
If you’re leaking colostrum, it’s probably not more than a few drops. If the flow is more than you’re comfortable with, wear nursing pads inside your bra to catch the overflow. You can find some on our website here.
Leaking breast milk during pregnancy is completely normal and nothing to be concerned about. It’s just a sign that your body is gearing up for the birth of your baby!