"Leaking" is it a sign of successful milk production? « Back to Group Discussions

[BeanBean06]

So I'm 23wks 2days and haven't had any breast leakage lol but I have friends who are the same gestation as me who have to wear nursing pads 24/7 cuz they are already leaking SO much. I'm a FTM and reall really committed to EBF. But after one of my friends told me her dr told her early leakage means she will have great milk production made me feel bad that I'm not yet...
Sorry if this is a silly question lol I just worries me. I've had hormonal issues in the past (pcos) specifically. (That's what made it so hard for us to have this baby - nearly 7 years) so I'm just worried that now that we are finally having our miracle, my body won't cooperate with EBF.... Anyone else leak late or not at all and make plenty for your LO?

[1babysmom]

Nope...I don't think there's any correlation. 

I have never leaked during pregnancy, even while nursing (I could squeeze some out if I tried, but no leaking), and I have always had MASSIVE milk supply.  Like, able to nurse 3 kids AND pump for donation on top of it. LOL  So no lack of milk here.

[BeanBean06]

Oh wow! That's so encouraging! Thanks!

[IronMam]

I leaked a little during my first pregnancy, but not until pretty late in the pregnancy. I haven't spontaneously leaked this time (still only 19 weeks), though I was able to express a few drops in the shower the other day. But after nursing DD for 2.5 years, I imagine that probably changes things.

It's exciting to know things are working, but I don't think I've ever read that not leaking is a bad sign.

[Kara9080]

I never leaked (that I remember) during my other pregnancies. I was a prolific at making milk and I nursed my son for 3 years and it took 3 years to 100% dry up to where I couldn't express any milk. (*I* think that's freaky LOL) Anyway, I haven't leaked any now, nor can I express any but I must have some colostrum because I get tiny crusties in/on my nipples that make them itch from time to time.

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by Kara9080 

I never leaked (that I remember) during my other pregnancies. I was a prolific at making milk and I nursed my son for 3 years and it took 3 years to 100% dry up to where I couldn't express any milk. (*I* think that's freaky LOL) Anyway, I haven't leaked any now, nor can I express any but I must have some colostrum because I get tiny crusties in/on my nipples that make them itch from time to time.

I always wonder how long I will have milk when I am 100% done nursing one day!  My SIL still had milk when her youngest was 11 years old...he's 16 now, no idea if she still does or not, but at that time she even still got letdowns when she'd hear a baby cry!  Craziness.  If I had that much milk for no apparent reason, I'd probably be pumping it.  At least it would feel somewhat useful instead of just annoying. LOL

[TIFF4NY]

I leaked a bit in my pregnancy with DD1 but it wasn't until a bit later on. I had no issues with milk supply at all. I haven't started leaking yet (and haven't tried expressing) this pregnancy but I have been noticing changes in my nipples that make me think it's coming. They are very reminiscent of when I was nursing her before.

[KateHNM]

Do any of you remember how far along you were with your first pregnancy when you were able to express any?  This is my first and I've noticed definite changes to my nipples but I'm surprised to learn you could already express some this early.  I'm at 20 weeks.  I'm really hoping I will have success with breastfeeding this little one.  People have been telling me its difficult and that they or someone they know couldn't do it for whatever reason.  Did any of you have difficulty?

[Oliver's Mama]

Originally Posted by Kara9080 

I never leaked (that I remember) during my other pregnancies. I was a prolific at making milk and I nursed my son for 3 years and it took 3 years to 100% dry up to where I couldn't express any milk. (*I* think that's freaky LOL) Anyway, I haven't leaked any now, nor can I express any but I must have some colostrum because I get tiny crusties in/on my nipples that make them itch from time to time.

ditto on the crusties.

I'm not even trying to see if I can express, though I probably can since it's only been 6 months since I stopped nursing, but my chest feels so full that I don't want to go stirring things up unnecessarily...

And to the orginal poster: be sure to disregard all those old wives tales about prepping your breasts for breastfeeding. Most of your success will have to do with mental preparation.  Read a good book, take a class, and talk with others who you know have been successful (and avoid the debbie downers who just want to share their horror stories) And if you're not delivering at a hospital with lactation support with a hotline for when you're back home, find a support group, laleche league, (or join the breastfeeding forum here) so you have someone to talk to when you have a challenging moment.  So many women quit before realizing there are remedies to their particular breastfeeding challenge. ok.... off the soapbox...

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by KateHNM 

Do any of you remember how far along you were with your first pregnancy when you were able to express any?  This is my first and I've noticed definite changes to my nipples but I'm surprised to learn you could already express some this early.  I'm at 20 weeks.  I'm really hoping I will have success with breastfeeding this little one.  People have been telling me its difficult and that they or someone they know couldn't do it for whatever reason.  Did any of you have difficulty?

I can usually start around 16ish weeks, that's when I get colostrum each time (nursing during the pg or not).  But that's not huge amounts, we're talking drops, but when my children were nursing it was obviously PLENTY, and I have no desire to try pumping, but I'm assuming I could get out more in that case.

I have felt blessed to have no difficulty with breastfeeding.  Just some discomfort in the beginning with DD1 as we both learned to get her to latch (none with the other two but I was already still nursing when they came), but nothing else.  Though I did have my fair share in our later years with several years of thrush.

You will do great, mama!

[TIFF4NY]

Definitely not wanting to get things going this early on so I won't be trying to express anything. But I can say that I always know I have milk in there when my nipples are super dark, almost blue.

I should add that with DD1 I used a silicone nipple shield the entire time I nursed her because my nipples were flat/inverted and she just eventually would not latch without it. For the convenience I used it so we could continue on. This time I'm hoping not to have to use it again but I definitely will have some on hand when DD2 is born so I can get that nursing going quicker than I was able to with DD1. 

[BeanBean06]

Wow y'all have been so encouraging to me thank you so much!!! There isn't really anyone in my family who has BF more than 6 weeks or so (and they all think im kinda crazy for wanting too! my aunt actually says she BF my cousins... umm yes for 3weeks! ok. she told me i was weird for wanting to nurse longer... so i told her she was weird for not wanting too lol) aside from my sister in law... But we aren't close. I have hired a doula tho, for birth and after. And she is also a lactation consultant, and I have a number for a LLC group leader in my area too. I think they actually do monthly or bi monthly meetings for moms and their Babies must do that

Does anyone have any good book recommendation that don't make BFing scary and weird but celebrate it?

[Kara9080]

Originally Posted by BeanBean06 

Wow y'all have been so encouraging to me thank you so much!!! There isn't really anyone in my family who has BF more than 6 weeks or so (and they all think im kinda crazy for wanting too! my aunt actually says she BF my cousins... umm yes for 3weeks! ok. she told me i was weird for wanting to nurse longer... so i told her she was weird for not wanting too lol) aside from my sister in law... But we aren't close. I have hired a doula tho, for birth and after. And she is also a lactation consultant, and I have a number for a LLC group leader in my area too. I think they actually do monthly or bi monthly meetings for moms and their Babies must do that
Does anyone have any good book recommendation that don't make BFing scary and weird but celebrate it?

LLL - yes, I would encourage you to attend before baby is born, maybe 2 or 3 meetings even. Breastfeeding support is priceless!

When I was pg with my first I heard the sayings "when they can ask for it, they are too old" and "a kid who can walk and talk and come up and nurse is creepy" and they stuck with me. I was sure that I was only going to nurse a year and be done. My youngest had food allergies which affected our breastfeeding relationship and I had co-workers (girls in their 20s) make fun of me, tease and harass me at the workplace while nursing so I quit when he was 5 months. Yes, very sad.

When my 2nd was born I was more educated/more exposed to ideas and truths we had a great nursing relationship. I did encourage him to wean with a 3rd Birthday/No More Nursing party but we went several weeks sporadically after his bday.

Anyway, education is huge in starting off right but support is almost necessary for success.

[Oliver's Mama]

Originally Posted by BeanBean06 

Does anyone have any good book recommendation that don't make BFing scary and weird but celebrate it?

I've always liked The Breastfeeding Book by Dr. Sears, it's a great feel-good book to read before the baby comes.  For real detailed help, I like The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers by Jack Newman, it truly is what the title says.

[BeanBean06]

Originally Posted by Oliver's Mama 

I've always liked The Breastfeeding Book by Dr. Sears, it's a great feel-good book to read before the baby comes.  For real detailed help, I like The Ultimate Breastfeeding Book of Answers by Jack Newman, it truly is what the title says.

Thank you! I will send my hubby out to find them this weekend

And Kara, I would LOVE to be able to attend some meetings beforehand but I am on strict bed rest because I had to have an emergency cerclage placed at 18 weeks (I'm 23 now) and have an irritable uterus and have been in the ER a few times already due to contractions. So ill be on bed rest til the stitch is removed Around 36 weeks. So if she doesn't come right away when they take it out, ill hopefully be able to get to one at that point. W also have to do our birthing class, hospital tour, newborn class...etc. all at that point. Hopefully she'll wait til 38 weeks so we have time for all f this LOL but if not atleast I have my doula

[MommyRuth]

I found "The Nursing Mother's Companion" to be extremely helpful and encouraging with my daughter. I don't remember who the author is, though. There are very few women who can't successfully breastfeed their babies. It makes SO much sense not to feed your baby milk made for a different species. There's SO much info out there. The more I read, the happier I am my DD was exclusively breastfed and my son will be, as well.

[Ethelpea]

Another one here who never leaked and never had a problem with milk production.  That is an absolutely stupid comment from her doctor (which seems to be par for the course).

[Kara9080]

Originally Posted by BeanBean06 
And Kara, I would LOVE to be able to attend some meetings beforehand but I am on strict bed rest because I had to have an emergency cerclage placed at 18 weeks (I'm 23 now) and have an irritable uterus and have been in the ER a few times already due to contractions. So ill be on bed rest til the stitch is removed Around 36 weeks. So if she doesn't come right away when they take it out, ill hopefully be able to get to one at that point. W also have to do our birthing class, hospital tour, newborn class...etc. all at that point. Hopefully she'll wait til 38 weeks so we have time for all f this LOL but if not atleast I have my doula

Oh my! That complicants far more things than just a LLL meeting! take care of yourself - hope you have good support at home with family and friends? That is quite the chore to be on bedrest that long. Can you call your library (or go online) and reserve some books to read?

Well, I hope your doula will help provide breastfeeding support as well as a LC at the hospital, then once you're able to you can attend LLL meetings :o)

I'm not sure any groups do this, but I just thought of it and it's a great idea, I wonder if any LLL groups to Skype? There has got to be moms in a similar situation that can't make meetings and Skype would be so handy! That's probably more of a dream..

[BeanBean06]

Originally Posted by Kara9080 

Oh my! That complicants far more things than just a LLL meeting! take care of yourself - hope you have good support at home with family and friends? That is quite the chore to be on bedrest that long. Can you call your library (or go online) and reserve some books to read?

Well, I hope your doula will help provide breastfeeding support as well as a LC at the hospital, then once you're able to you can attend LLL meetings )

I'm not sure any groups do this, but I just thought of it and it's a great idea, I wonder if any LLL groups to Skype? There has got to be moms in a similar situation that can't make meetings and Skype would be so handy! That's probably more of a dream..

Thank you! Yes it is very hard... My whole body hurts all the time, and my hips are permanently bruised... And it's lonely. But we have waited for this miracle for so long and I was told I'd never have biological children so she is totally worth it! I do have a great support system in my hubby, he works full time from home so he is here 24/7 to take care of me, feed me and rub my hips a few times a day. He also takes care of the house and our pets, all the grocery shopping and cooking. He's already super dad! the rest of our family lives pretty far away but most are good about calling me often and visiting when they can so I don't feel so alone. DH also upgraded our cable while I'm stuck in bed so I have like20 movie channels as well as Netflix in my iPad, and lots of books on iBooks. I'm also taking a few courses online to just keep my brain active it's rough and I can't wait til march 4th(when the cerclage comes out) its crazy how much I miss the simple things like cleaning and cooking and laundry LOL

And that would an awesome idea if the LLL groups did Skype I also just found out that our hospital offers its child birthing classes online now

[BeanBean06]

And yes our doula will help me in the hospital and she will also come over to the house after we are home as often as we need her too! She's amazing