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Managing Breast Leaks During & After Pregnancy

Understand the reasons behind leaking breasts, and discover new ways to manage it with confidence.

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 rarely anything 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.

Whether you're a new mum, 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 galactorrhoea — which is the first drops of breast milk or milky nipple discharge respectively.

Maternity Breast Pads

Managing Leaking Breasts

Managing Leaking Breasts

To manage leaking breasts, you can use absorbent breast pads/nursing pads in your bra to absorb the milk. These pads are designed to fit comfortably in the cup of the bra, keeping you dry and comfortable. Here are some tips:

  • Wear Absorbent Pads: Keep a supply of breast pads on hand, both at home and in your maternity hospital bag.
  • Comfortable Bras: Choose bras that offer good support and fit comfortably to accommodate any pads you may use.
  • Regular Change: Change the pads regularly to maintain hygiene and prevent any potential skin irritation.

Lil-Lets Maternity Breast Pads

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, your breasts might start leaking because of the let-down 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.

 

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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.

Bottle Feeding And Stopping 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:

  • Galactorrhoea — 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, night-time 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]

Choose from our range of comfortable and absorbent maternity products, made with mums in mind

Breast Changes During Pregnancy

Frequently asked questions

When will my breasts stop leaking?

It’s difficult to determine exactly when your breasts will stop leaking. However, most mums find that their breasts stop leaking milk in the first 6 to 10 weeks of breastfeeding once the body has adjusted to the baby’s needs and feeding schedule.

How does the body change during pregnancy?

There are several body changes that can occur during pregnancy. The most common changes include breast leaks, large and tender breasts, swelling, muscle pain and weight gain.

What does leaking breasts mean?

Leaking breasts typically mean that you are ready to start breastfeeding. However, it may also be a result of hormonal changes caused by medication, contraceptive pills or underlying medical conditions.

Why are my breasts leaking milky fluid if I am not pregnant?

Breasts can leak milky fluid due to a variety of reasons, including hormonal changes, menstruation, medication side effects, or even physical stimulation. If you have concerns about breast leakage because you’re not pregnant and you don’t have a baby, it's always a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional for further evaluation as this could be linked to conditions such as galactorrhea, hyperlactation and mastitis.

Are leaking breasts a sign of labour?

Leaking breasts are not necessarily a sign of labour. However, you may find that you have started to produce and leak more milk closer to labour.

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