When did you first leak?!

[LDNlady]

Hi,

I was just wondering when you had your first boobie leak! I was under the impression that it wouldn't happen for a while. I am 23+5 and I'm actually off work sick but as I turned over in bed I felt something on my left arm, wondered where the weird wetness had come from then it finally dawned on thicko here what it was. It wasn't very much at all and was just surprised. Does this mean that it will start to become a more regular thing now and I should rush out and buy pads and so on or will it happen on and off for a while? Thanks. x

Anyone?

I didn't leak as such, but could squeeze colostrum from about 13 weeks.

Quite early with DD, around 20 weeks I think. It's hard to tell this time because I'm BF DD and I don't get much chance to leak

It never got bad enough to wear pads before she was born and it didn't happen all the time but I did start wearing T shirts in bed just in case.

I didn't leak until just before I gave birth with my DD and with the second, maybe a few days earlier.. I think there are all sorts of normal..

Not much help but bumping for you..

I was late! Not until 3 days after DS was born ... so ... yesterday. Midwife assured me he was still getting colostrum though.

Sounds like everyone leaks at different times. If you're concerned, a pack of 25 pads are cheap, and if you wear them under a normal bra, not noticeable at all. You'll be using them at some point anyway

I started leaking quite early like you with my first baby.
I used to wake up in the night soaking hahaha not a very sexy sight at all. I do remember after an initial patch it started to calm down alot but i always carried breast pads with me as the sound of tiny babies crying on the bus used to set them off again

Hello there, am pretty clued up on the ins & outs of Bf so thought I'd reply.

Whilst it is reassuring that you are leaking at this point in pregnancy (it shows your boobs are gearing up & priming themselves!) it generally has no bearing on your supply after baby arrives. Depending on your birth and other factors, your milk should be dictated by baby after the first few weeks & settle into a supply & demand pattern. Your breasts will 'learn' to make just the right amount for your baby...! if you have any concerns your MW should have the most up to date info.

My personal experience is that I didnt leak at all in pg with DDs 1,2 & 3 but I'm 28 weeks and am much fuller and leaky this time round, so it depends on your pregnancy!

The only thing I would say (and I don't want to offend anyone who knows this already ) but some ladies who have a good supply during pregnancy have asked me if its ok to express to build up a supply. The answer is no as this can cause labour to start early.

Interesting, I've not heard that before about ante natal expression and I've been BF throughout this pregnancy (no early labour yet either, boo!). Have you got any links I can read?

I started to have little bits coming out and I mean small amounts of colostrum at about 25 weeks. I dont need a pad but when it comes off it comes off in dry bits prob TMI!! Tried soaking them to get it off but it wont!! ewwww!

I got milk in mine from about 20 weeks each time x

I'm 38 + 4 and had nothing yet....!!!

I noticed a tiny bit of colostrum from my nipples a couple of weeks ago when I was rubbing stretch mark oil in all over. I am 24 weeks on Friday.

Hoping this means my boobs are gearing up for feeding baby as my mum tells me she had a problem with supply when she had me. Looking forward to being able to BF for at least 6 months if we can manage it.

I was about 26 weeks, doing a presentation at work wear a pale blue top brilliant timing that was! It seems to have settled down now (32 weeks) and only leak when squeezed - sorry if TMI!

I started at 24 weeks (1st pg). Felt horrible cause I was staying at my aunt's place at the time and was in my cousin's bed! They haven't really stopped since. Although not a lot comes out each time, there has been the odd leak through the work shirt which means I do have to wear a pad....only on the left side though.

DH thinks it's pretty funny

Thanks all so much for your answers. Thankfully, it only happened this morning and not since. If I squeeze slightly then a little bit appears so to be on the safe side I will invest in some pads for work time to save on any embarrassment. It's good to know that it's not weird for it to start so early. Thanks again. x

Eau I can only speak for my training but it doesn't generally apply to women who are already established BFers whilst pg as there are different logistics involved whilst tandem feeding. Your body is already used to BF so the stimulus is not as strong iyswim? Although mums sometimes mentioned BFing children fuss or self wean when the colostrum supply kicks back in later in pg . However even established tandem feeders are advised to seek advice if contractions increase during pg.

I was referring more to the fact that HCPs would advise against expressing during pg (unless under the advice of HCPs) and if it is done, not until at least term and I've never heard it advised for women who leak during pg!

IME this is primarily due to the fact that there may be the odd person out there who would essentially put themselves at risk of premature labour by stimulating contractions. Obviously women experience contractions during pg, but there would certainly be the riskier pg's which would certainly not benefit from early EBM. Hence why its not generally advised!

Links wise...I'll try to dig some info out if anyone wants it. But you'll be hard pushed to find many reputable UK sites advising early expression. The old mantra of...the more you use the more you make is true so it would be a vicious circle!