I am 31 weeks pregnant with #2. Yesterday morning, I woke up and realized I had leaked milk all over everything. Now, I have sore areas on my breasts that remind me of clogged milk ducts from when I nursed my first child. It's not hot or red. My question to those who have gone before me... Does this happen a lot/is this normal? Can I get an infection (Mastitis) BEFORE I give birth and am nursing??? Should I expect to leak more in the future or was it a one time thing? BTW, I nursed my son for 15 months and it has been over a year since we stopped. I will talk to my doctor at my appointment next week but I'm impatient and would like to know the Mamas' opinions.
Thanks!
Hey C.... Like I told you on Tuesday... yes, this can be normal. Especially when you breastfead L for so long. But yes, Mastitis is also a possibility. I would call the MD office and talk to the RN or leave a message for your doctor to see what he says. Call me if you need anything... even though I just "threw up" on the phone to you earlier today... I am here if you need me.
Hugs!!
It happend with my first pregnancy too. Also mostly at night. I also had to wear nursing pads. Don't worry about it. Just try to keep dry to keep the irritation down. Congrats on you growing family!
As far as I recall, producing milk prior to giving birth is not abnormal. However, you CAN get mastitis before you start nursing, because it's about the clogged ducts. If you think they're clogged, you should try to clear them either by hand expressing, using a pump, or...let your husband "help out." (It's been done before!) The last option is probably the most effective. Good luck!
I leaked with my first pregnancy and had to wear nursing pads. It seemed like it was more while I was sleeping, I would wake up with wet pj shirts. I didn't get clogged ducts until I was nursing for a while. I never had mastitis, thankfully, so i don't know about getting that while pregnant. Good luck with #2 !
In my experience breasts that have produced milk before rev up to do it again more easily the second time around. I would expect more leaking in the weeks to come. The same thing happened to me in every pregnancy after my first one.
Yes, you can get Mastitis even when you are not nursing. I had an ill fitting bra that compressed a milk duct and wouldn't you know it, a horrible round of Mastitis without even nursing someone!
Congratulations on your impending new addition!
I leaked quite a lot of milk before birth. The first time was clear, the next 2 times, it was real milk. I used those really comfortable Barely There bras to sleep in and used nursing pads. Or you could sleep on a towel if you don't mind washing your PJs. It did not happen every night either. Seemed to happen in spurts ( or squirts I should say). I never had mastitis before nursing or when the baby was born. Good idea to keep an an eye on your breasts and examine frequently since your milk production has started up and not yet being released.
Congratulations on your new family member!
Jennifer
