Source
r/breastfeeding•
steviethetv1

Did you leak during pregnancy?

So far I’ve EBF my son for 8 months. We’ve been very lucky. Our journey has been pretty smooth - no ties, no mastitis, no latch problems, no supply issues. I work full time and match what he drinks at daycare or more with two pumps a day.

Now to my question: I’ve always been curious how much breast leaking other moms have experienced during pregnancy. And what has breastfeeding been like/was your leaking an indication that breastfeeding was going to go well?

I started leaking at 21 weeks pregnant and leaked “milk” every night. Sometimes a few drops and sometimes puddles. My doc said it could be a sign of oversupply in the future (And I did experience oversupply for 4 months but it’s regulated finally). My friends haven’t experienced a lot of leaking and I haven’t found a whole lot of information about it online other than “pregnancy is weird.” So anyone else out there?!

(Baby was born at 39 weeks via csection. I was so out of it I couldn’t hold him so nurses caught milk that was steadily trickling out of my breasts and fed baby with a tiny spoon for a few hours. The nurses were so proud of me for my “stream” while I laid there haha)

Posted Nov 10, 2018, 3:18 AM UTC

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TheVillageOxymoron•

I leaked a ton during both pregnancies and always produced plenty of milk. To me it seems related. But I don’t think that the opposite is true (that not leaking will mean low supply).

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steviethetv1OP•

That’s a good observation! And was curious about second pregnancies and if it happens again. Thanks!

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bootsforacarrot•

I got some teeny tiny blebs around 20ish weeks, and maybe leaked the smallest amount one night sometime around there but that was all.

Had a planned c-section under general anesthesia due to a complete and vasa previa at 36 weeks. I couldn't breastfeed the first day while the drugs left my system. Day 2 baby latched great and we were off. My milk came in around day 4/5 and I experienced let down almost every two hours until about 6 weeks. Thank goodness for the Haakaa!

Now I can pump an extra 4-6oz in the morning every day which I freeze as a just in case, and for donating.

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steviethetv1OP•

Let down every two hours?! Hope things are “dryer” now!

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bootsforacarrot•

Oh yes! No leaking here! 🙌🏻

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piercedlovely•

My first pregnancy I soaked through a shirt one night and was unable to breastfeed (bad latch, lack of nursing resources and being young and not knowing I could ask for some, etc. My milk was gone within 3 weeks. 2nd pregnancy I don't think I started leaking till rather close to the end and was able to breastfeed and still going strong at nearly 17months.

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steviethetv1OP•

Wow! What completely different experiences. Congrats on the 17 months!

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CrowningHardtop•

I can’t say from my first two because I formula fed them though I leaked like crazy but my third baby I barely leaked at all and we just hit 1year 2weeks of EBF with a huge oversupply that took months to regulate and now she’s self weaning and I was able to pack my pump up yesterday.

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steviethetv1OP•

So interesting and I love that you have a large “sample size.” :) hooray for packing up the pump, eagerly awaiting that.

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Miri-on-fire•

I didn't leak at all during pregnancy then gave birth via csection at 37 weeks. Baby was in NICU for a week so I combo pumped and breastfed. Ended up with a overactive letdown and lots of supply! Seems there is no rhyme or reason to me lol

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steviethetv1OP•

Reading the replies just reinforces 1) everyone has such a unique experience (and more breastfeeding education should focus on how DIFFERENT it is for everyone) 2) and so much more breastfeeding research is needed. This is just a small question but there are so many unanswered that we’re all muddling through!

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chelsearothschild•

I didn't leak when I was pregnant with my first and I had a huge milk supply. Still nursing at 22 months and 8 months pregnant, although it's colostrum now. I haven't leaked this second time either, we'll see how it goes when baby arrives next month.

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steviethetv1OP•

Your 22 month old doesn’t mind the colostrum? How interesting!

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DinoChick•

Didn’t leak at all, though I did see some white residue sometimes. Awesome supply and strong letdown post. So no correlation for me.

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