Lactating if I squeeze my nips

[Mawgatron]

Hi all.
Just wondering if this is safe to do or not. I'm 24 weeks preg with 1st baby, and I noticed a tiny bit of milk came out last week when I gently squeezed my nipples in the shower. I am absolutely fascinated by it!

I know some people leak without 'encouragement' to help it along, and I am guessing that they don't have any problems breast feeding, but I suddenly got paranoid that I may be wasting the colostrum that my little nipper will need when he arrives. Is it a good idea to leave them alone, or will a little squeeze once in a while help to encourage milk supply?

Thanks in advance all! Xx

I promise you that your body will replenish any supplies that come out now - there is not some limited supply held in a fridge in your boobs! Think about it...

Doesn't it hurt? Mine were bloody agony and I could never have squeezed them.

All very normal, had it with my first and already have it now (19 weeks) with my second.

I sort of left them alone with my first and managed to successfully bf for 8 months without issue. Plan to just leave them be unless bored this time.

Never experienced the whole leaking thing with ds, except after he was born and I was in the throes of milk coming in

I too was facinated when I started leaking milk in my first pregnancy.
It'll leak with out you squeezing them soon.

Don't worry you'll have plenty for baby when the time comes.

I don't know whether having a squeeze encourages supply, but my midwife said don't worry about wasting colostrum as it will replenish.
(I had to ask her as I had a couple of days when I couldn't lean forward without it literally dripping out of me )

I'm 37 weeks and can normally get a few drops out when squeezing. Luckily I've not had it coming out on its own even this far on.

A little squeeze once in while will make no difference to your eventual milk supply either positively or negatively. It is interesting the stuff which pregnancy does to our bodies.

Women who leak colostrum during PG are no more or less likely to breastfeed successfully once their babies are born.

Expressing colostrum is not recommended before 36 weeks gestation however as there is very small risk it may trigger contractions.

Nope, doesn't hurt at all. Was just paranoid, as I thought I had read somewhere that the first bit that comes out after birth is different to encourage baby to poo and give them an extra boost when newborn. Didn't want to waste it!

Colostrum is different, and very special, but it's not like your body madejust 6 precious oz last week and will point-blank refuse to make anymore . The change from colostrum to milk is hormonally triggered.

mine have been leaking on their own now for about 10weeks (35wk 1day now) .. have to wear breast pads.. although its annoying and a little uncomfortable im lucky that my boobs havent ached at all so far.

maw Hah! I thought I was the only one who randomly squeezed them in the shower... Nothing comes out of mine though (I am 24 weeks too)...