Do you know when your colostrum comes in?

Jennybake12 · January 2012

I've read it will come in anytime after 20 weeks, but not sure if I will know it or not. I haven't had any leaking

This is TMI, but my nipple has been having what appears to be dead cells on the very tip. They are white in color instead of pink and come right off with a tweezer. Its a little painful after I plucked it out so thought maybe I over plucked. I have read that this could be colostrum but the consistency of it feels and looks like dead tissue not something that is a dried liquid. My breasts are much "denser" and my nipples bigger and darker also.

I ask because I have had breast surgury and I really really want to beable to breast feed and would like to do everything in my power to make that possible. I read that when the baby comes, you just put the baby up to your breast they will start nursing the colostrum will just come out then?? Seems weird to me if you haven't had any leakage at all...

Alauren4 · January 2012

You can start leaking colostrum at anytime during the second trimester. Have you purchased breast pads yet? If not you should, you can start leaking at anytime now and it's better to be safe than sorry. You can buy disposable ones for about $10 or resuable ones for $20. Keep some with you just in case...

Sovello · January 2012

I started getting clear stuff at 13 weeks and have been getting the orange stuff for a few weeks now. I know what you mean about the white gunky stuff around the nipple. I get some that's darker in the crevices too. Don't worry too much about any of it, boobs and nipples are going to do all sorts of crazy things and you may not get colostrum until right before you give birth anyway.

mommygrams0730 · January 2012

mine came in after my son was born. and so far with this one i haven't had any leaking. but everyone's different.

Jess & Drew · January 2012

This is kind of hard to answer because everyone gets theirs at different times. Mine actually started leaking around 14 weeks. It wasn't enough to soak through my bra or anything, but there was definitely fluid coming out. I think most women will get some leakage whether it be a lot or a little. This is probably TMI, but mine generally start leaking when DH has been having *fun* with the new and improved "toys" on my chest.

JoeysLady · January 2012

I noticed orange colostrum around 18 weeks. I wasn't leaking, but I'm still nursing DD and was curious if there was still milk there, so I gave my nipple a squeeze. If you are leaking, the washable breast pads IMO are far more comfortable than the disposable.

AprilAngie · January 2012

I am expecting # 4. with my 1st I leaked around 20- 25 weeks. My 2, 3, and this one nothing. usually when you give birth it comes in- every woman is different.

katcarls · January 2012

The white stuff sounds like dried colostrum to me. I noticed it when I was pregnant with my first and I have it this time too. Not everyone leaks during pregnancy and it doesn't mean that the colostrum isn't there. I never leaked when I was pregnant with DS and I BF him for 13 months with no problems.

If you're planning to BF, I highly recommend taking a class at your hospital and doing some reading to prepare. KellyMom is a good resource too.

sandy02 · January 2012

I never leaked while pregnant with the boys and still havent this time. I EBF'd the boys and had a strong supply, dont judge if you will or wont be able to on if you leak while pregnant. :0) Once the baby comes and tries is the only way you'll know. And you'll have to keep at it for a while since it take a few days for milk to come in. Good Luck!!

Temp200154562509288 · January 2012

I've never had any problems leaking while pregnant. it always seems to come in right after baby comes, even with my csections. I've always EBF and I've never had any supply issues to worry about.

Jessie_dc22 · January 2012

Sounds like dried colostrum to me too. And I have it also.

J'snewwife · January 2012

I have had breast reduction surgery, and having already done this once that does sound like dried colostrum. With my daughter the lactation specialists assured me that if you have breast changes during pregnancy, you will be able to do at least some breast feeding, there's just no way to tell how much. I had trouble getting the milk to flow through the pipes, so to speak, at first. I was able to pump maybe 1-2 ounces per feeding, and DD had no interest in latching because there wasn't any flow. BUT, by the time DD was about 6 weeks old, that had completely changed. I was able to feed about 50% of her intake from BF, and supplemented for the rest. I was really glad I stayed motivated, because I think we both benefited from it. I'm certain you'll be able to BF as well, and hopefully even more than I did!

spunkyprincessmande · January 2012

I never leaked with Micah and so far no leaking this time around. I'm still nursing 1-2x/day, though, but I think my milk has changed back to colostrum now b/c Micah is less and less interested in nursing. I do get the white stuff in my nipples, though, and I assume yours is colostrum.

As far as baby just nursing. Yes, if you put baby on your chest they tend to start searching for your breast right away and nurse. But that doesn't necessarily mean that baby will automatically have a good latch and nurse properly. I was lucky and Micah was a good nurser right from the start, but a lot of babies need a little help in getting their mouths open wide enough. So even though it's baby's instinct to find your breast and start eating you may have to help him/her along a bit. I second pp who said to take a class. A good class will teach you a lot and help you troubleshoot should something come up. However, even more than that, utilize the lactation consultant at the hospital. I asked one to come in pretty much every time I nursed Micah just to make sure that things were still going well because once you get home you're on your own. And that's scary.

hewinked · January 2012

I never leaked with my other 2 children. I didn't breastfeed them, so I can't say for sure when colostrum came in. My nipples are kinda flaky right now. I figured it was dry skin cuz that's pretty typical for me. Perhaps it is colostrum after all.

JoJo42 · January 2012

I've noticed some white waxy stuff periodically for many years now (and I'm a FTM, so I know it wasn't colostrum), and always just assumed it was dried skin cells mixed with oil, and it comes off easily by exfoliating gently with a washcloth (don't pluck, ouch! I've learned that one)

Just as of yesterday, however, I gave my nips a squeeze in the shower to see how things are progressing, and a little droplet of white fluid (not waxy) came out. I'm thinking that's the colostrum starting.

MsMonica's1st · January 2012

I have been leaking for about a week now --- through my bra (padded bra might I add) and my shirt........nursing pads and I have become close friends

Horsey322 · January 2012

I've also had breast surgery and I was able to bf my dd just fine! I'm 20 wks now and able to express colostrum now.

JNoelleE · January 2012

Some women don't notice it happening until 30-35 weeks and sometimes you have to actually squeeze your nipple to see if it will come out. I wouldn't worry about it. I know lots of people who have had breast augmentation surgery and were able to breastfeed.

stemms8810 · January 2012

I notice some 'crusties' sometimes on the tips of my nipples. If I squeeze my nipples the colostrum comes out. I haven't leaked without making it come out yet. My nipples are darker and much bigger than pre-pregnancy. When your baby is born and you put him or her to your breast the sucking motion will force the colostrum to come out. You don't have to leak to be successful at breastfeeding.

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