When Do Your Breasts Start Leaking During Pregnancy?

November 18, 2015 by Frank Ohijamadu

A frequently asked question by pregnant women is: when do your breasts start leaking during pregnancy? While others do not notice any leaking until after the birth of their baby, some women produce colostrum, a yellowish, thick liquid in their breasts. This is the baby’s first food before the milk comes out. You do not have to worry when this occurs before giving birth, as this is normal and does not mean that you are experiencing preterm labor. If you are wondering when your breasts start leaking and what you should do when it happens, read the following article for more information.

When Do Your Breasts Start Leaking During Pregnancy?

This is the first nutrient your baby receives after birth, because you may not produce breast milk until one or two days after the delivery of your baby. Some women experience leaking from their breasts during the first three to four weeks of pregnancy. However, this is not that common. It is, however, more common for some women to show leaking breasts between the 12^th to 14^th weeks or by the end of this trimester.

Other women have leaking from their breasts during the second trimester, sometime between 26 to 30 weeks, which is most common.
As your delivery date gets closer, you are more likely to have leaking from the breasts. Rarely, a few women begin producing milk by the third trimester. Those who have been leaking during pregnancy will probably experience greater amounts of leaking as their due date approaches. However, most women do not really experience any leaking until after the birth of their baby.
In general, there is no need to be too concerned whether or not you are leaking milk during pregnancy. Even if you do not experience leaking right after giving birth, it does not mean that you will not be able to breastfeed your baby. If you are still concerned, you may consult your doctor. Your health care provider can also advise you about breastfeeding when you think you cannot produce enough milk.

Should I Worry About Breast Leaking During Pregnancy?

During the many weeks before the birth of your child, your body normally changes to prepare for its coming. This includes changes in your anatomy to prepare for labor and childbirth as well as changes in function to prepare for feeding your newborn baby. Your breasts may begin to produce colostrum, which contains a high amount of protein and less sugar and fat than breast milk. This makes it easier for the baby to digest his first food. Nature also designs this substance to be rich in antibodies, which will protect the baby from getting sick after birth.