BF and leaking lots before baby's born

[shinydiscoball]

Hi - I posted yesterday about my seemingly very active colostrum issue here but my last question went unanswered

I'm still leaking all over the place today and worry if I continue like this that I am losing nutrients etc that the baby needs when first born. Am I being silly to think this? I have tried not to stimulate my breasts or nipples at all today but they feel awful, heavy and sore. What should I do for the best?

Didn't want to leave your thread unanswered. It's quite common to leak colostrum when pg, I had to wear pads from about 26 weeks. As far as I can tell it had no impact on colostrum production when dd was born and I am still breastfeeding now at 16 months.

If I was you I would ignore it. You can speak to your midwife for reassurance, although mine only said "at least you know you can produce milk".

Think that the nipple stimulation could be causing your pains, not an expert though. I would stop doing it if I were you, sounds like you were given some poor advice.

Don't worry about the nutrients, you can bf even if you have the poorest of diets so this leakage will have no effect whatsoever on your ability to bf or the way the baby thrives.

If you are worried go along to your local La Leche League or Baby Cafe, both welcome pregnant Mums or ring a local Bfing Counsellor and talk through your concerns.

If you are still sore in a couple of days, without the stimulation, I would see the GP.

Remember your breasts are like taps, not bottles. They make what they need when they need, they're not storing it up for when needed.

I didn't read your other thread when I posted earlier. Agree with JJJ that you were given duff advice re nipple stimulation.

Your body does not stop producing colustrum and start making the transition to milk until your placenta is out, so do not worry about any lose of nutrients or quantity of milk. Mothers with gestational diabetes or anticipating a baby going to SCBU are advised to express and store colotrum antenatally.

I leaked antenatally with ds1, but not ds2. No idea why.

The gestation also has a roll to play as a premature baby will get different milk to a later baby.

Looking at your other thread, definitely stop the stimulation - are you getting really strong BH by any chance? If you find yourself leaking press the heel of your hand into your nipple and that should stop the leak.

Thanks for your replies everyone, I am a little bit confused by the advice from the midwife re stimulation and massage to get the colostrum out as it seems to go against everything else I've read or been told I will contact a BFing counsellor JJJ and see what they say. I'm glad it's not going to affect the quality of what I'm able to give my baby :)

Confuddled - I am getting BH on and off (they are sudden and quite painful!) but they're very random and don't seem to follow leaking or when I've been massaging, I will try that with my hand to stop the leakage.

Today I kept a handful of breast pads in the fridge at work and when it got really painful I popped them in my bra instead of massaging the colostrum out which helps, if somewhat temporarily so will continue with that for now instead of massage and stimulation.