Why Leaking Breasts During Pregnancy Is A Good Sign
What are leaking breasts? Those first few weeks of nursing are almost always very damp ones, as your milk’s supply-and-demand cycle gets up and running. These leaks can spring up anytime, anywhere, but you’re most likely to leak when you hear or even think about your baby, which can stimulate letdown.
Does leaking breast mean labor soon? No. It doesn’t mean labor is imminent. Leaking colostrum simply means your body is ready to feed baby. You should note that while leaking colostrum during pregnancy is common, not all women leak.
How to treat leaking breasts: This problem should get better within four to six weeks, as your baby’s milk demands begin matching up with your supply. But while you’re waiting for a dryer day to dawn, wear nursing pads (and keep a few extras on you). Don’t use ones with plastic or waterproof liners, as they can cause nipple irritation. Disposables or washable cotton pads are better bets. Don dark-colored tops or prints which camouflage milk stains.
You may be tempted to pump to prevent leaking, but this will just stimulate your breasts to make more milk. Once your supply is well-established after the first few weeks, you can try applying pressure to your breasts to stem the tide.
