Strange breast discharge question

JoDoc

Ok, I have to ask this and it's incredibly embarrassing, but this is the one place I know I can ask without feeling like a total idiot. 

First, I am not breastfeeding, we are formula feeding.  I did not ever attempt to breastfeed.  I just needed to clarify that.

When I was younger I heard about doing a breast self-exam.  I didn't fully understand it, and thought it was where you had to, for lack of better terms, squeeze your breast, near your nipple.  There was a very small amount of clear but sticky "liquid" that came out of my nipple.  This wasn't something I'd do for fun, mind you, but for probably the last 20 years, maybe twice a year, it would happen.  At first it happened because I didn't know what the hell I was doing when it came to doing a self-exam, but after the 3rd month I knew and started doing it correctly.  Then, maybe once or twice a year I'd see if it would still produce that liquid stuff.  

Fast forward to this past year.  I gave birth to twin sons in November.  I never breastfed and allowed my milk to dry up.  I never stimulated my breasts at all, wore a tight sports bra and made sure that the hot shower didn't spray on my chest at all.  After I'd guess 2 months or so, I thought I'd check to make sure.  I attempted to "milk" my breast and sure enough, there was more of that sticky liquid, only a lot more of it now.  It is a yellowish color, but clear and transparent.  If I dab at it with a piece of white tissue it leaves a yellowish mark.  Very very occasionally it will have a whitish/yellow portion that is not clear or transparent.  I can go a month without "testing" and it'll still be there.  Any thoughts or ideas?  No, my breasts aren't tender or sensitive, haven't been since December.  

Sorry if this is too weird of a question.  I figured someone here may have an idea, or know what the heck is going on. I don't really want to go to the doctor and say "hey, watch what happens when I squeeze my boob" if it's a normal thing to have happen.  

Thanks ladies!

TheDairyQueenx3

It sounds like residual colostrum. Even though I did BF I still produced 2 years after my singleton weened. It is completely normal and some women can get it after stopping/starting the use of birth control pills/shots and never even becoming pregnant. If you have no tenderness or pain or redness I wouldn't be too concerned as milk ducts can produce a clear to a yellow discharge to help prevent clogged ducts. If it bothers you too much though don't hesitate to see your doctor. We had a later loss and I had some similar stuff after him as well when I was almost 6 -7 months pp and obviously couldn't bf. I'm not a dr but I hope that helps some!

mommaoftrips

Don't worry - all women if you squeeze around the nipple will have this kind of fluid come out.

JoDoc

Well, that does make me feel better.  At least others have had something similar, so I know I'm not an abnormality.    Thanks ladies!

hayleydeee

Not a weird question at all! That happened to me for years before I had a child (and still does). It's just a little colostrum, probably cause by hormones. 

For me I think it started when I had an accidental pregnancy that ended in a very early miscarriage. But it could have even been before that, I'm not sure. 

JoDoc

Ok, so, do I just let it go or try to express it out?  

TheDairyQueenx3

I would let it be. If you express it will encourage milk production.

mommaoftrips

Don't do anything.