Managing Breast Leaks During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an amazing and transformative experience that can bring about remarkable changes in your body. From morning sickness to a growing belly, it's clear that something incredible is happening inside. One of the most surprising changes for many of us is the sudden occurrence of breast leaks. If you're currently pregnant or planning to be, you may be wondering why this happens, how to manage it, and what it all means for your body. We’re here to help you better understand breast leaks. 

Leaking breasts during pregnancy

Leaking breasts are one of the most common body changes during pregnancy and it’s nothing to be concerned about. Most of the time, the nipples are leaking a substance called colostrum — the first milk supply in the breasts made in preparation for feeding your baby. This typically starts to happen a few months or weeks before the baby is due. In the meantime, you can wear absorbent breast pads/nursing pads in your bra to absorb the milk. They’re designed to fit comfortably in the cup of the bra. We recommend keeping some breast pads in your maternity hospital bag too.

Breasts leaking clear fluid during pregnancy

Whether you're a new mum, an athlete, or someone who has never been pregnant, it's important to know that leaking clear fluid from your breasts is a common occurrence. This fluid, which is usually not a cause for concern, may be the result of hormonal changes, medication, or even something as simple as friction from your clothing. The clear and watery fluid is typically colostrum or galactorrhea — which is the first drops of breast milk or milky nipple discharge respectively.

Leaking breasts after pregnancy

After pregnancy, there are several other reasons why you might have leaking breasts. And it’s a mix of physical and emotional triggers. Here are some common examples:

• Feeding your baby using one breast

If you’re feeding your baby on one breast, the other breast might experience let down — the milk-releasing reflex. This is because the reflex is triggered in both breasts. 

• Warm showers or baths

Warm water flowing over your breasts can stimulate leaking. It dilates the blood vessels and increases blood flow to the area, which eventually triggers the let down/milk-ejection reflex.

• Hearing your baby cry

When your baby cries, it taps into your emotions and motherly instinct, leading to the release of oxytocin. Oxytocin causes the muscles around the milk ducts to contract, resulting in breast leaks.

• Changing your breastfeeding schedule

Changing your breastfeeding schedule causes breast leaks by disrupting the balance of hormones that regulate milk production. It can also cause a mismatch in milk production and your baby’s need for it.

• Thinking about your little one

Sometimes breast leaks happen the minute you think about your baby. The emotions that come with wanting to care for your bundle of joy results in the production of oxytocin, which eventually leads to milk production and leaks. 

Breast leaking at night

Waking up to find that your bed sheets are wet can be an uncomfortable experience, but it's not uncommon for people to experience breast leaking at night. Of course, breast leaks can happen at any time of day, but they occur more frequently at night due to changes in posture, hormone levels, and milk production. While you’re asleep, you're breasts might start leaking because of the letdown reflex — a powerful and normal part of the breastfeeding process. A build-up of prolactin and oxytocin hormones is released into the bloodstream throughout the night. Prolactin aids milk production and oxytocin causes the breasts to push out the milk. As a result, there is an oversupply of milk that leads to leaks. However, leaking should improve as your body adjusts to breastfeeding over time.

How to stop leaking breasts if not breastfeeding

Generally speaking, your breast milk will gradually dry up if you’re not breastfeeding. Once you have stopped breastfeeding, it usually takes 7-10 days for your hormones to regulate, but that doesn’t mean you won’t experience a few leaks in this timeframe. 

Here are some common ways to stop breast leaks:

• Wear a well-fitted bra with adequate support
• Use breast pads that can absorb leaking milk or discharge
• Avoid nipple stimulation through breast pumping or sexual activities
• Apply a cold compress to the breasts to slow down milk production

Leaking breasts when not pregnant

There are several reasons behind leaking breasts when you aren’t pregnant. It depends on factors such as age, health status, and medication use. If you have leaking breasts while not pregnant, we highly recommend consulting a doctor to rule out any serious causes and to get started with the relevant treatments.

Here are some common reasons why people have leaky breasts when they’re not pregnant:

• Galactorrhea — a condition where one or more breasts unexpectedly produce milk or a milk-like discharge
• Hyperlactation — an overflow of breast milk due to the overproduction (typically just after pregnancy)
• Mastitis — the inflammation or infection of the breasts/blocked milk ducts
• Fibroadenomas — small, non-cancerous breast lumps
• Breast cancer — cells in the breasts grow out of control
• Hormonal changes caused by medicine or contraceptive pills
• Hormonal changes caused by medical conditions such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• Hormonal changes caused by menstruation

Our final thoughts on breast leaks

Whether you're dealing with daytime leaks, nighttime leaks, or both, there are plenty of ways to manage this and feel like yourself again. From wearing a supportive bra to using breast pads, the solutions are within reach. And if you’re still a little worried about leaking breasts and think it might have nothing to do with pregnancy, speak to a healthcare professional for specialised guidance. 

*https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/pregnancy/week-by-week/1st-trimester/week-7 [Accessed: 16 March 2023]

** https://anya.health/breastfeeding-uk/ [Accessed: 21 February 2023]