Clear liquid coming out of breast

[user1481228934]

Recently I've had a clear sticky liquid coming out of my nipple, this is my first pregnancy so I really don't have a clue what it is or iff it's even pregnancy related 🙈 a friend said it could be colostrum but apparently colostrum is meant to be yellow and this liquid is clear? I'm 23 weeks pregnant. Just wondering what it is and iff it's normal?

[AmyB1986]

Hi, it may be a bit of colostrum leaking. I had this in my previous pregnancies and after stopping breastfeeding.
It's normal, but it can sometimes happen if your bra is a bit tight. I found a loser bra and some small breast pads helped. It seemed to get worse after I'd had a warm shower or bath.

[user1481228934]

Glad to hear it is normal, it was just out of nowhere and as it being my first pregnancy I didn't know Iff it was normal or not 🙈 so will the liquid stay until I have the baby and then change to milk? Sorry for the 101 questions lol!

[Impatientwino]

Definitely colostrum - I had this and it stayed clear until birth and then turned yellow.

[Impatientwino]

Sorry I shouldn't have said definitely that sounds bossy and know it all!

It's most likely to be colostrum but if you are having any discomfort maybe have a chat with your midwife to rule anything else out.

[Foggymist]

It'll stay as colostrum for the first few days of baby's life as that's all they need, then you'll begin makin milk probably 3-5 days after birth.

[Foggymist]

*making

[AlfieTheRailwayCat]

I leaked colostrum from about that stage too, it was clear to begin with but occasionally yellow/orange and one day nearly brown! My midwife said it was normal, maybe just mention it at your next appointment. I found reuseable pads useful in pregnancy but I once I started feeding I found I leaked massively and only lansinoh pads replaced frequently worked! Just incase you become a leaker like me!

[SuperUnicorn]

I started with a few drops of clear liquid at about 17 weeks. If I squeeze them a bit I do get a few drops of the yellower colostrum too now. I've been wearing pads for several weeks now (I'm currently 30 weeks). Also first pregnancy, I was surprised to see leakage so early on but my only basis for comparison is cows (I work on a dairy farm) and they only start to leak a day or two before birth! I did mention it to my midwife and she was happy it was normal.

[toomuchtimereadingthreads2016]

Yep mine started v early with both pregnancies, am 23w now and have been collecting and freezing for a month now :)

[MumBeth]

Ooo so you can start collecting and freezing? That's a brilliant idea.

[toomuchtimereadingthreads2016]

Stimulating the colostrum isn't recommended because there is a small chance it can provoke uterus contractions. However, mine was leaking through breast pads by 20weeks so I hand express 3ml a day when I get home from work and have been dating each syringe and freezing it. A friend recently had her daughter born with a serious undiagnosed heart condition and struggled to express had to top up with formula from the start, was a v stressful time for her poor thing. So I figured if it was going on my clothes/down the sink I might as well stock up. My midwife was v supportive. Unfortunately I can't donate it if we don't use it, but can use it to mix with first foods later on, if bub is poorly etc... also been squeezing a few drops a day on my older daughters dry, red skin patches on her legs and they are completely cleared up now after 2 years using creams and ointments ;)

[faisal786]

hi i have a question i had a stillborn baby girl 2019 september today i randomly squeezed my nipple an i got white clear sticky liquid cone out of one breast but out of 4 little holes what can be the reason for this?

[Crackerscheesescabbyknees]

Hi @faisal786 after breast feeding it took about 3 years for my boobs to stop producing milk (decreased drastically but didn't stop entirely).
We can lactate when not pregnant and breast feeding, it happens.

If you do have nipple discharge that you are concerned about, you should always report it to your Dr.