Breasts

Is it normal for breasts to be tender during pregnancy?

How the Breast Changes during Pregnancy
Breastfeeding is the final stage of breast development for women who have children. Recognizing and understanding breast changes can encourage a mother about breastfeeding.

During your pregnancy your breast will get about 10% bigger. the following breast changes are normal:

Breast Changes that are Normal during Pregnancy:

The breasts feel tender and fuller because pregnancy hormones are stimulating the milk making parts of the breasts to grow.
The areola (the dark skin around the nipple) is darkening and getting larger so it will be easier for the baby to find the place to eat when he is first born. Newborns like to look at dark circles more than any other shape.
The Montgomery glands enlarge and become more visible as bumps on the areola. These glands make a fluid that cleans and lubricates the nipple and areola. This fluid smells like amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the baby in-utero) so the smell of the breasts will be familiar and attractive to the baby. Newborns have a strong sense of smell.
The blood vessels in the breasts are easier to see through the skin. The skin is stretching as the breasts increase in fullness. The breasts need a good blood supply because nutrients are drawn from the blood stream into the milk.
Breastmilk may start leaking from the breasts during pregnancy. Even if their breasts do not leak, all moms produce colostrum. Colostrum is the first milk and it is thick and yellow.
By the time a mother is about four months pregnant, her breasts are ready to make milk in case the baby is born early.

`Red Flags` (or Possible Causes of Concern) during Pregnancy:
If either of these red flags is noted, refer the mother to a lactation specialist or her health care provider for a breast and nipple assessment.

The mother has not noticed any breast changes during pregnancy.
Her nipple(s) are flat or inverted (turned inside), either at rest or when stimulated. Women with flat or inverted nipples can still breastfeed, but they may need extra help at first.

How to Care for Breasts during Pregnancy
There is no need to prepare the breasts in any way for breastfeeding. Advise mothers to use warm water only to wash their breasts because soaps may cause dryness. Women should not `toughen up` their nipples. A breastfeeding mother needs at least one comfortable nursing bra. If she buys a bra in the last three months of pregnancy, she should make sure it has a cup adjustment that will allow her breasts to increase one to two cup sizes and can be adjusted around the chest.

What is Engorgement?
After birth, most women will experience some breast fullness and firmness when their mature milk comes in at 3 to 4 days. This is normal. As milk production increases, blood and lymph fluids accumulate in the breast. If the baby is nursing frequently, effectively, and as long as he wants, this fullness will decrease significantly in 12 to 48 hours. Read more in the article on Engorgement.

Leaking Breasts
Most breastfeeding mothers will begin leaking milk at about 3 to 5 days after birth when the mature (white) milk comes in. Mothers leak the most in the early weeks of breastfeeding. At about 2 to 3 months after birth, the mother`s breasts adjust to making milk and leaking decreases. Some women leak milk for as long as they are nursing.

Treatment for Leaking Milk

Wear absorbent cloth bra pads.
Apply gentle pressure to the nipple. This can be done with the forearm or heel of her hand through her clothes.
Wear clothing that will hide wet spots, such as print clothing, vests, fleece and sweaters.
Breastfeed more often, if possible.
If separated from the baby, pump milk when breasts become full.
Have an absorbent cloth ready to catch the milk leaking from the other breast during feedings.

Comments: Breasts

Comments 26 to 49 of about 83.
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sarah grogan - 91 days ago.
hey all.. im 26 weeks pregnant and iv notice some leaking from my breast - this normal?.. first pregnancy so im new to all this :)

Shellie77 - 91 days ago.
Im currently 34 weeks and have seen little changes in my BBs. They have not grown or gotten any firmer. The areolas do seem a little darker and the mont. glands seem more pronounced. I have no soreness except for some slight sensitivity in the nipple. HOWEVER - Every now and then, maybe a few times a month, I get a HORRIBLE pain in my nipples like someone is twisting them off! I cant find a way to soothe the pain except trying to forget about it and wait it out. It usually takes about 10-15 mins to stop and they are very sensitive afterwards. Its the nipple only, and the pain almost brings me to tears. What in the heck is causing this and are my BBs broken since Im this far along and have had no other changes?

One step at a time - 97 days ago.
try wearing a supportive tank top at night I too am in my first trimester and have found that it helps alot at night.

gene-jeaniesbean - 98 days ago.
Anyone else having a burning sensation in their nipples? It's soo annoying and painful and how do you find relief or do you just deal with it? I'm in my 1st trimester. Thxs in advance.

campimama - 110 days ago.
Don't worry ladies-they will go back to more normal a while after baby is born. One day you'll look in the mirror and realize that your nipples look like they used to. They may not ever get back to the 'perfection' that you once loved, but that's the price of mommyhood :)

hanakalei - 110 days ago.
Brandyfaith - Do not feel bad!!! I feel the same exact way that you do!!! I used to love my boobs and now imso bummed about them!! i feel like my nipples are the size of saucers!!!

Brandyfaith - 110 days ago.
i am so praying my boobs turn back to normal after this, i loved them then and now my areolas are just so dark and my nipples stand out/ really stick out and idk just sad over it all, guess just deep down inside i know they wont be guess thats why it stays on my mind a lot

Bri - 126 days ago.
trishdish - It's probably just dryness. Go out and get some lanolin. It is a breastfeeding mom's best friend. It's great for cracked and dry nipples.

trishdish - 126 days ago.
My nipples are starting to crack already and i'm only 24 weeks along. This is my first pregnancy...is this normal?

nilzanatalie - 137 days ago.
by BBs hurt so much! i'm only 5 weeks

ravediva - 175 days ago.
i like my small breasts and i hope they stay small but still produce enough milk!!!

ams8663 - 176 days ago.
17 weeks pregnant and just had to buy a bigger bra today cuz my bb's were faling out of a 38c...now im wearing a 36d...hubby and I are def. not complaining...lol!!

dazieoo - 176 days ago.
this is my first pregnancy and my bb havent changed at all. Actually my husband thinks they looks small now! My tummy sure has grown though =) Im 33 weeks

slh1980 - 176 days ago.
ravediva: My breasts didn't really get any bigger with my second preg. until closer to due date. Unless your doc is worried, then you don't need to be. :)

ravediva - 176 days ago.
should i be worried if my breasts havent grown during pregnancy maybe just a tad but not enough to say they have grown, this is my second but firs ttime this happens!! any answers???

Beautiful Bre - 187 days ago.
im 22 weeks and oh my gosh i feel like my boobs are still just growing. mine were sore up until like 18 weeks. but with m y first pregnancy i dont think they were as sore for as long as this one

sarah grogan - 187 days ago.
im 12 weeks pregnant and i feel i dont have sore breats anymore.. should i be alarmed?.. my last scan was 10 wks and 2 days - all was perfect baby hearting beating etc.. but just worried since my boobs are not as sore..

C.ruth - 192 days ago.
k. My bb have been feeling bigger and when they are pressed lightly, they hurt. This week i just noticed the veins in my areolas leading to the nipple are more pronounced, especialy after i get out of the shower, and i can see more veins in my chest. I had af april 30, but it was lighter, and i had spotting a few days before i started af. i'm on the pill, but i suck at taking it, and i've done a few hpt, and i got bfn.... idk what to think. any advice or help would be nice ladies! thank you

Catherine from BC - 192 days ago.
I am 35w5d and I have bright red blood in my colostrom. It is only my R boob and it has been leaking clear colostrom since about 12weeks preg... Has this happened to anyone else???

schweetbaby - 203 days ago.
can anybody please tell me if the size of breast become normal after the pregnancy? I m worried! my breasts have become so large that they look ugly! Earlier they used look attractive. please help!

Nicoletka - 208 days ago.
I have a question. I am 10 weeks pregnant and I don't really feel much pain. Is this normal or does every woman differ? They are tender sometimes but not painful... Should I worry?

dizzysue - 210 days ago.
a quick question?? if you are not breastfeeding , is it better to take tablets to dry your breasts up or is it better to leave them to dry naturally???

jenakatessa - 228 days ago.
oops, i push send before writing my question.... ok ...i was wondering if they will still continue to become bigger/fuller throughout the rest of my pregnancy....or if its stopped now i have no pain?????

jenakatessa - 228 days ago.
Im in my 23 weeks now...and let me tell ya....im much more comfortable now. I get slight pain when taking off a bra...but thats it. MY FIRST TRIMESTER WAS BRUTAL....so to all those woman who are there now...IM SOOO SORRY your going through that but just think, you are being blessed with magical boobie dust, and its completely NORMAL....BUT I HAVE A QUESTION TOO.....

avatargo - 236 days ago.
anoneill - My experience is that it doesn't last the entire pregnancy. My breasts were also very sore in that first trimester... but it did disappear for a reasonable amount of time (several months) before returning only periodically until the baby was born. So let your husband know that he's probably going to be allowed back on 'home territory' before too long! (His major concern should, however, be after the birth... You're probably not gonna want to let him near them for some time!) Good luck with it!