Hey ladies,

Just a question - how do you know when your milk is starting? I have been leaking a little from both breasts the last couple of days - not much just a tear drop really but it has left my top wet. It's also clear similar to water and not white or thick which I was expecting (for some reason I have the idea in my head that colostrum is like gluggy, old milk - thick, clumpy and white....

Anyway - just wondering if this is normal and if it is indeed the beginnings of my milk production. I am 26 weeks now.

Also is there anything I should be doing about this? Anything helpful? e.g. I read somewhere it is good for your nipples if they are dry to rub the stuff into them???

Ta ladies - this is all new and weird!

It's totally normal what you're experiencing, or so I think~ :) Your *milk*-Milk won't come in until after the baby is born and nursing (should you choose to)... but the colostrum is clear or may have a slight yellowish color and possibly slightly cloudy.- At least that's been the way for me to describe my own. I recommend "toughening" up your nipples, if you're opting to breastfeed. I didn't with my first, and the first six weeks of bfing were pretty tough... then with my others, I took a roughish towel or wash rag and would rub the nipple with it to just toughen the area up before babe came. IT *really* helped!!! I started that in the third trimester and with my other children the first six weeks of nursing were not near as painful. If you're having dry/sore nipples you can put some Lanolin on them...and I'm sure there will be other gals popping in with other great advice! I sure am happy for you guys~ :D

I first have to say WOW you are 25 weeks already?! My how time flies!

I agree with Jen here, I got the clear colostrum and as my pregnancy progressed it became more yellowish tinted, totally different than when I actually got milk in. It is perfectly normal and if your top is wet it is helpful to use nursing pads to prevent embarrassing situations, other than that let it flow, you needn't worry.

As far as the 'toughening up' of the nipples I didn't do anything as I didn't hear about it until long after delivery. I have heard it has made a world of difference for some of my dear friends though. They would use a sponge in the shower each day over their nipples and they claim it helped!

CONGRATULATIONS again, I am so excited for you!

I can't believe your over half way now either :) I remember when I was pg with ds1 being in total shock over leaking while still pregnant. I think I called my mil or someone and asked if it was normal. Yes very normal also a great sign :)
I never did it, but someone told me to sunbathe topless!! It is supposed to help with toughening up nipples? I guess it is a personal thing :-D

i didn't toughen up my nipples the first time, i didn't know anything about that, I just toughed it out through the first few weeks! LOL! and they were horrible too... i nearly cried everytime Katherine latched... it was very painful... but it DOES turn painless once your nipples toughen up... just be prepared and don't think anything is "wrong" if it is uncomfortable or a bit painful at first...


But yes my colostrum started leaking really early too... I think I was about 6 months along... completely normal and a good sign that all is going according to plan :-)

yep its colostrum, you can rub it into your nipples since colostrum is so healing. Your milk will be white like cows but it doesn't come in for a few days after baby is born. Also if you are experiencing pain with nursing see if you have any lactation consultants or lactation groups that can help you. It really shouldn't be painful and if it is, its because the latch is wrong. I worked with the hospitals lactation consultant for the first 3 months because we were having such bad problems. Having support with breast feeding will be a lifesaver especially for #1 baby.

I agree, it's colostrum. Mine came in around 12 weeks with Em, and was always there with the rest. I never tried to toughen up my nips and it never hurt. Em did latch funny, and that causes some issues a little later on, but it wasn't ever too bad.

I actually could spray my colostrum while in the shower....my midwife laughed at me when I told her that and told me to "save it for the baby!" Haaha...it was just so weird!!!
When Mak was born, she gulped and gulped the first few days because I had so much colostrum....LOL...it's so awesome, I hope you get that!!

Congrats on your new little one!!!
blessings,
Amber

This is my first pg and I started leaking around the same time. My mom was amazed! She nursed all of us kids (she had 5) but never leaked before we were born. Sometimes it's just a few little drips. Other times it'll soak my bra without me noticing it at all. I bought some nursing pads and wear those almost everyday... just in case! Most days I can see a small tint but other days there is nothing. Very interesting!

Thanks ladies - very reassuring. It's just so weird that I don't notice it coming out or feel any different in my breasts until I feel my top and realize what's happened! It doesn't happen everyday yet and thankfully is not too much but I am going to start using breast pads as it is a bit embarrassing!

As for the toughening of nipples - hadn't heard about that before! Little bit nervous about trying it as my nipples are so sensitive and feel so delicate anyway that I'm worried it might do more harm then good. On the other hand - maybe because of this (the sensitivity etc) I need to prepare them for something a bit tougher! Will try toughening "gently" for next few days and see how I go. Am def planning to breastfed if possible (although family history is filled with lots of problems with mastitis and not enough milk even though they had tried to feed for over 3 months!). Keeping an open mind but ideally do want to feed.

Once again - thanks!

Am def planning to breastfed if possible (although family history is filled with lots of problems with mastitis and not enough milk even though they had tried to feed for over 3 months!). Keeping an open mind but ideally do want to feed.

Once again - thanks!

If you are worried about milk supply, after baby is here you could look into a nursing tea. I bought some natural nursing mother's tea when I was having a slight supply drop and having a cup or two a day of it for two or three days in a row and my boobs were like, exploding with milk... it really worked for me.. it was Weleda Nursing Tea...

http://well.ca/green/products/weleda-nursing-tea_9550.html

I'd ask your local health food store about it.

If you're concerned about mastitis and low milk supply, the key is to make sure to feed frequently and avoid schedules, especially in the early weeks. Demand builds supply. And skipping feeds can lead to mastitis.

Actually from what I've read, you don't have to do anything to prep your nipples. The baby's latch has more to do with soreness than your nipples do. You have to make sure that they're latched on correctly and not chewing on your nipples!

I would recommend looking for a La Leche League group in your area so that you can have the support about baby is born if you need it.

I wouldn't worry too much about low supply. There really are only a very small amount of people who have it, and it's usually due to medical stuff. I have PCOS and my breasts didn't quite develop the milk ducts like it was suppose to during puberty, so I have battled with supply pretty much every day since my first was born, but PTL I have been able to take enough supplements and medication to almost completely exclusevely feed both my babies.

If you truly have a low supply, the mother's milk tea can be good, there are about 15 herbs that can help (maybe more) and then there is medication that is a last resort, but can help.
I personall can drink about 20 glasses of the mother's milk tea and see no difference, and I was taking handfulls of as many different "milk" herbs as I can take and was still struggling, but again, my breasts aren't as developed as they should be. I personally would avoid Reglan if possible. It makes you feel HORRIBLE both physically and mentally and I didn't get much of a response with the highest dose. I switched to Domperidone, which may be easier for you to get down there, but it has been the only way I haven't had to supplement. ( we did supplement about an ounce per bottle when I worked to help build up my freezer supply, but that was before the Dom.

I pray it's an easy road for you!! Breastfeeding is awesome!!
Blessings,
Amber

I wouldn't worry about your supply yet, it will just cause you anxiety when it comes to putting babe to breast later on, and that can cause your milk to drop in itself. I really hope you can find some help down there because it will make a world of help. letting your baby suckle will increase your milk, even letting her lay chest to chest helps. With my first we had lots of issues that played into my low milk supply but I also drank mothers milk with little effect, but for some it is amazing. I also took Domperidom (sp) and that was the best! so there are things to help you out. but for starters just relax. I have watched nursing videos where a mother a baby will lay bare chest to bare chest and the baby will bounce its way/mouth down to the nipple and latch itself. When I was working on my son's latch I would let him do it and we would get some really great pain free latches. Sometimes we try to push and assist too much when we should just let our baby do what they are meant to do.

I found this video and thought it was pretty good and might help you.
http://www.ameda.com/breastpumping/videos/popup_video.aspx?id=LatchOnEnglish

What a sweet video! Thanks for that! Now my only question is....are nipples usually that big? I think I have nipple envy....wow I've nursed for 39 months total, and mine aren't even close to that! Haa!!

Blessings,
Amber

Ohhh thanks for that - it really was a sweet video! Actually helped give me a good idea of how to breast feed! I didn't know much before that - eg about position on babies head, how far back nipple should go into babys mouth.... Has prompted me to do more research! Thanks!

Also blessedmommy - my MIL is ex-le leache league!! She was involved when her boys were young so it's really funny that you mention it! She and my FIL are planning a visit to our city about 11 days after baby's due date (to work in with school holidays as she is a teacher) and so I am greatly looking forward to her help and advice! She has already given me plenty of reading material although most of it is 1980's but still helpful!