When does "leaking" begin?

[Taedareth]

So I'm wondering, at what point might I need to wear breast pads in my bra for leakage? Is leaking something that only happens after the birth, when the milk comes in and you're engorged? Or does it also happens during pregnancy? I noticed yesterday that I have colostrum, so it seemed like a timely question.

[cariadanam]

With my first I started leaking enough colostrum to have to sleep with a bra (the pressure of the bra was enough *usually* to stop it) at 5 months. I think my second was around the same time. This pregnancy I have only leaked once and I was very upset at the time.

You won't leak milk until it comes in a few days after birth but you can leak a ton of colostrum if thats what your body likes to do! I hated wearing a bra 24/7!

[Geofizz]

I never leaked before DD was born and I don't leak now (despite having breastfed up until two weeks ago). I leaked like crazy all the time from 3 days pp (milk coming in) until about 5 weeks pp and then just at night for another month or so. Then I'd leak anytime I heard baby cry up until DD was about 18 months old.

[hottmama]

I've been leaking colostrum for a few weeks, but not enough to need nursing pads. Wearing a bra generally keeps it from happening. I didn't need nursing pads until my milk came in last time.

[Spark]

I didn't leak at all with my first pregnancy. Then, my last two pregnancies I've been nursing, so no problem with overflow late in pregnancy.

[Minnow_]

OK, so I feel like Old Faithful now... I've been leaking since 18 weeks. I haven't been wearing breast pads yet, but if I don't wear a bra with lined cups I'll leak right through.

But the colostrum is starting to get more sticky, and I'm getting sore sometimes from the 'nipple sticking to bra' thing. Do you think breast pads might help with that?

[DesireeH]

I've been leaking since 22 weeks this time around (with my son I started leaking at 15 weeks). If I wear a bra it's never noticeable but at home I never wear a bra and my shirts do get wet little spots (that turn crusty!) LOL I havent started wearing breastpads yet though as it's not enough to need one.

[littleteapot]

With my first I started leaking at 22 weeks, with this one it was earlier and more dramatic. I don't need breastpads this time, though - as my daughter is still nursing!