WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

Leaking breasts, a pregnancy symptom

Leaking breasts
Some women notice that their breasts start to leak during pregnancy.

Good news! It's your body preparing to breastfeed, producing a hormone called prolactin, which stimulates milk production. As the milk ducts fill up, it's possible that your breasts might leak some of the precious nectar.
Juliette Seblon
Midwife for 8+ years
Is it normal?
This can be a little surprising, but it's a normal part of pregnancy. This can start happening as early as the second trimester and can continue throughout pregnancy.
Prevent and care
Proper management of leaking breasts, such as using nursing pads and wearing supportive bras, can help alleviate discomfort.
  • Expect small amounts of clear or yellowish fluid from the nipples. 
  • It may happen spontaneously or during activities like showering. 
  • Use nursing pads to manage leakage and wear supportive bras for comfort.
If your nipples are leaking, the substance is usually colostrum, which is the first milk your breasts make in preparation for feeding your baby. Leaking is normal and nothing to worry about.
Juliette, Midwife for 8+ years
When to consult?
If you're experiencing breast leakage and it's bothering you, or if it's abundant, accompanied by pain or swelling, don't hesitate to speak with your doctor or midwife.
Top Asked Questions
Why do breasts leak during pregnancy?

Leaking is often due to hormonal changes and the preparation of breasts for breastfeeding.

When can I expect to experience breast leakage during pregnancy?

It can occur at any time during pregnancy but is more common in the later stages.

Are there any specific products or techniques to manage leaking breasts?

Nursing pads are commonly used to absorb leakage, and wearing supportive bras can enhance comfort.

View Sources
All I Need to Know
T
Taylor
12 Dec 2023

Has anyone else experienced extremely leaky breasts?? I’ve been leaking since around 23 weeks! Sometimes it soaks my shirt around my nipples. Sometimes it’s just little drips. I thought I wasn’t supposed to experience leaky breasts until right about now ?? #28weeks

1 comments
J
Jess
Completely normal. Save that milk if you can! Get the milk catchers that you can just keep in your bra
27 Mar 2024

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T
Taylor
10 Nov 2023

Has anyone experienced leaking breasts at 16 weeks? I didn’t leak with my previous 3 kids until days after they were born. #16weeks #leakyboobs

3 comments
B
Blessed mommy
Same, thought I was trippin.
27 Mar 2024

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A
Ashley
I’m trying to see why mines not yet
27 Mar 2024

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M
Mirela
19 Sep 2023

Ok so my app says “sore breasts, possible leakage” 28 weeks pregnant. My breasts don’t feel sore or full! Anyone else experiencing this?

5 comments
L
Lauren
Not all women will leak, most won’t even produce until a couple days after giving birth. So if you don’t it’s completely normal. I just recently started leaking some but it’s more so when pressure is applied to my boobs or nipples are rubbed from my! Soreness can come and go as well. But it’s all different for every women and pregnancy.
27 Mar 2024

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D
Dorothy
It’s normal not all women leak. My last pregnancy my breasts were sore my whole pregnancy but I didn’t leak at all. So far it’s the same with this pregnancy
27 Mar 2024

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S
Sheree
17 Sep 2023

I’m on my period but my breast are leaking milk, I’m so confused. Me and my husband been trying to have a baby and was disappointed when my period came on but this is getting weird. My period came on early and now the leaking of my breasts. Does anyone know why this could mean?

12 comments
A
AshaBaby
It’s leaks on its own or you been squeezing it ?
27 Mar 2024

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S
Sheree
I was squeezing it because I had just got out the shower and they was sore
27 Mar 2024

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A
Amberly
14 Aug 2023

Are there any other mommas who are leaking from their breasts at 19 weeks? This is my 3rd pregnancy, and it hasn't happened this early!

1 comments
Q
Queen Cici👑
I started leaking at 16 weeks
27 Mar 2024

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A
Alexa
6 Aug 2023

Anyone else experiencing leaking breasts?? I’m 24 weeks and not sure if it’s too early and if I should be concerned 😟

6 comments
K
Ki 💝
22 weeks tomorrow and I started leaking last week lol
27 Mar 2024

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A
Alexa
Okay thank you I didn’t think you could start leaking this early so crazy!
27 Mar 2024

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𝓣
𝓣𝓲𝓯𝓯𝓪𝓷𝓨 💞
7 Jun 2023

My breasts were leaking so bad but now when I'm pumping I'm not getting as much. Is it bc they leaked instead of pumping? I'm confused and starting to get frustrated now!

8 comments
𝓣
𝓣𝓲𝓯𝓯𝓪𝓷𝓨 💞
they started right after I got my shower, and kept leaking. So when I start to leak pump? I can't get her to latch but I've been trying... I may need a nipple shield to help?
27 Mar 2024

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L
Leonela
26 Nov 2022

Hey mommasss❤️I’m 18 weeks pregnant and my breasts are leaking every few minutes🥹is this normal ???

1 comments
A
Ally
I'm only at 20 weeks but mine started the same thing at 19 weeks! It's fairly normal for some women as far as i can see, it's your boby getting you and your supply ready for baby! 😊
27 Mar 2024

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D
Debbie
18 Nov 2022

Okay so I just turned 11 weeks today and my breasts are leaking is that normal for being so early?

5 comments
N
Nel
I leaked a little around 9 weeks then it stopped im not sure if its normal tho i never asked my ob since it went away
27 Mar 2024

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N
Nel
Avoid them from being sucked though i heard its not good for the breast
27 Mar 2024

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K
Katrina
11 May 2022

Gosh I’m tired of leaking breasts… or should I say breast without the s… but specifically I’m tired of it at night. I’ve always been one to wear a bra at night but recently I’ve started taking it off because the right side of my chest constantly hurts and taking it off has been very helpful making it hurt less. Well my problem is that now I’ll randomly wake up to my blanket being all wet and then I realize it was my breasts leaking. Is there anyway to help this? I know there’s little pads you can get to put inside your bra but if im not wearing a bra then what do I do?

4 comments
K
Kylee
Unfortunately wearing a bra is the only solution. I put reusable/ washable pads in my bra or just let the bra catch the leakage and wash it🤷‍♀️ I feel your pain
27 Mar 2024

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K
Katrina
😫🫠 sad day, I guess I better try to find like a loose fitting bra that’ll catch it but won’t be so tight to make my side hurt
27 Mar 2024

Answer


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