Leaky boobs

[geepersb]

Hi ladies, first timer here so apologies if this is a stupid question.

I noticed a few weeks ago (at about 21 weeks pregnant) that my nipples were slightly moist one day, which led me to the discovery that gentle squeezing of my boobs produced a drip or two of clear or occasionally more white looking liquid. That’s been possible basically every day since; but my boobs don’t generally actively leak.

Today however, if I squeeze gently, drip after drip after drip comes out, it seems like if I kept squeezing it would keep coming! They are v large drops and there seems to be lots.

I’ve tried googling it and it seems it’s not an issue - I’m just confused as to why the amount has increased so much today! I’m 27 weeks. Any ideas?! I hope nothing is wrong... :-/

I don't think there is anything wrong, some women start to leak milk quite early in pregnancy and it's not unusual for the amount to increase as the pregnancy progresses.
Generally it's not recommended to squeeze or try to make the milk come out until after 36 weeks gestation as there is a small risk it can encourage labour. After this time you might want to consider hand expressing and freezing the milk which could be used to feed you baby once born if there were any issues with feeding.

Thank you@Bluebirdsky . I’ll try and leave them alone! I was a bit shocked as wasn’t expecting any activity in that department for quite a while yet!

It's completely normal

It's colostrum.
In my first pregnancy I had this from about 20 weeks and had to start wearing breast pads as it would get my bra wet and leave (washable) stain marks.

This time I started leaking at 30 weeks, this time it's only when I squeeze too. Try to leave them alone. Colostrum harvesting (hand expressing)) was recommended by my midwife from 36 weeks. But not before as it can bring in early labour.

Thanks @Lilonetwo I hadn’t really thought of it has hand expressing - I was just in a bubble of being mildly horrified and fascinated at this new thing my boobs were doing!!! I will leave them well alone - the baby won’t won’t be anywhere near fully cooked yet! I suppose I should be pleased then that it at least means my boobs are working, I’m desperate to be able to breastfeed! x

I had this too and hand expressed from 37 weeks. I think this gave me a really good start to breastfeeding as I got to know how my nipples worked/angles etc. When I started I could get 1ml and after a couple of weeks could get 5/6ml.

Unexpectedly, baby had to spend time on NICU when born so my stored colostrum ended up being totally invaluable.

I would definitely recommend doing it (later in your pregnancy!).

As above, normal. I stored mine in syringes too and it was really useful to be able to give my little boy a few before my milk came in as he was big and hungry!

It’s normal. Especially with first pregnancy