35 weeks pregnant, nipple discharge?

[RandomCatGenerator]

Hello ladies

I hope this isn’t TMI.

I am 35 weeks pregnant - first pregnancy - and for the last few weeks I’ve been noticing that some days I have little white crusty bits on my nipples.

Im not sure if it is nipple discharge or just chafed skin or what - is this something others have experienced?

It’s often in the sort of little ‘folds’ at the centre of my nipples. More so on one than the other. A taste test (sorry) revealed it tasted like absolutely nothing. No wetness or anything accompanies it. I am using bio oil on my nipples to stop dryness so not sure if it’s anything to do with that - bur I’d guess not as I use oil just once a day and have noticed the white bits at various times of the day. It’s very little, but persistent.

Any experiences or help would be appreciated. It’s just a bit weird.

It’s milk.

Colostrum to be precise. Can you express a little and freeze?

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

It sounds like you've been leaking a tiny bit of colostrum which is drying out and going a bit crusty. It's quite normal.

It’s hard - always. There’s never been any wetness.

I’m worried about trying to express in case it brings on labour - I understand this is a risk?

All very reassuring and quick responses by the way, thank you

@RandomCatGenerator

It’s hard - always. There’s never been any wetness.

I’m worried about trying to express in case it brings on labour - I understand this is a risk?

I don’t mean use a pump to get it out, just get a syringe and run it round the edge of your nipples collect it. You won’t collect much but babies only need a tiny amount.

It's colostrum, what your baby will drink for the first few days until your milk comes in (if you're breastfeeding) and completely normal. You can hand express into a syringe from 37 weeks. The nipple stimulation is one of the ways used to bring on labour so maybe wait a couple of weeks until you're in the clear to do it if you want to, but do not worry if you choose not to it's not a necessity xx

It's colostrum, early milk, nothing to worry about at all. It's probably leaking in very in tiny quantities and drying on the nipple. You might find it increases in the next few weeks, or if you squeeze your nipple that a small amount of fluid comes out. Or it might just stay in the tiny quantities like now. In any case nothing to be concerned about

Thank you everyone. It’s just so weird that it’s these little tiny crusty bits. Hopefully it’ll shape up into proper liquid that I can syringe off in the next few weeks.

Thanks again, really appreciate it.

I used to wake up stuck to the sheet in my first pregnancy. It's just dried milk. Nothing to worry about.

Congratulations on your pregnancy.