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 51 to 74 of about 83.
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anoneill - 235 days ago.
OK. So I have a question from my husband who is definately a boob man and not liking not being able to touch right now... Do your breasts remain sore throughout the entire pregnancy or does the pain subside? I'm almost 12 weeks and absolutely amazed at how full, heavy and sore my breasts are and this has been going on for a few weeks now.

xpecting1 - 241 days ago.
Okay ladies I stopped breast feeding my son who's almost 11 mos old n I haven't been on in awhile but I'm seriously freaking out here n I thought of u guys first. I have noticed a little pain in my left breast and just realized there is a lump in my breast. I am scared to death right now I called my mom n she said some women get cysts in their breasts after breast feeding. Has anyone dealt with this before or know someone who has!??? If so please please share with me what you know! All advice is greatly appreciated!

oneluv - 271 days ago.
PLEASE I NEED ADVICE! has anyone had a breast reduction BEFORE they got pregnant? did you have any problems with nursing after? i really want one and NEED one but am so scared that i wont be able to breastfeed....HAS ANYONE GONE THROUGH THIS? PLEASE i really need some advice from 'MOMS' because everyone that is giving me their opinion doesnt have kids and doesnt realize how important breastfeeding is....please comment on my page. thanks

monstamama - 272 days ago.
Sweet1- it is normal to leak yellowish colostrum (premilk).

pygmalin - 272 days ago.
I started leaking at twenty weeks..with both this one and my first...more at night..with my first sone I had to pump before I feed him or I would drown him..I am thinking of donating this time if I have to do it agian...any one else done this? I swear I can feed an army..lol...

mammo - 273 days ago.
hi everyone hope all is good my son is 5 months and 3 weeks now i only do breast feed once at night time as im working during the day my breasts look every empty and saggy i never had them like this is there a way i can get my breast shaped as before back, they look like if iam in my 80s so please help me thnx

masonsmommy - 273 days ago.
Today I noticed my breasts leaking every so slightly. I'm 30 weeks pregnant and noticed two small wet spots on my t-shirt this morning after being up for a couple of hours. Has anyone else experienced this?

starka2004 - 274 days ago.
Is it normal for one breast to swell like at night and then go down by the morning? Like really early in pregnancy?

buttons - 284 days ago.
Many woman find breastfeeding their 15 or 16 month old child a totally normal and happy time for both them and their child. I still breastfeed my 14 month old before bedtime and I enjoy that quiet time of snuggling with him. Breastfeeding does not have a certain cut off date and traditionally has been continued well past 16 months in many cultures including ours. Modern society has introduced the notion of it being abnormal to breast feed past 9 months or so it seems, but personally I choose to continue enjoying the short period of time that my son is a breastfeeding snuggly little guy,I know it doesnt last long.

alonismommy - 284 days ago.
To all u ladies breast feeding ur 15 and 16 month old children...why!!!??? Those kids are too big to be on the tit!!!

erin b - 290 days ago.
My areola has just started turning darker and getting bigger and I'm at 34 weeks. I'm sure in time you'll notice a change.

jenakatessa - 290 days ago.
i am 14 weeks pregnant, and i have had very sore breasts....esp at the end of the day when i take off my bra and let loose. OUCH!!!!! i tend to not sleep on my stomach anymore like i use to cuz they hurt soo much. The one thing that i havnt noticed it the color. Its not getting darker at all. Its the exact same. I also have some drying. Usually when this happens, afte a shower when I cover my self with COCA BUTTER CREAM...i make sure i get the dry spots...and of course at the same time, it helps with strech marks, and keeps your skin nice and soft and smelling good:) anyone else not seeing color change???

emmie26 - 291 days ago.
erinb i feel your pain they just grow and grow if you need a good bra check out lane bryant i work there and we have some awesome bras the sizes start out at 36 b up to 48 h tin select styles they also have nursing bra's online in larger sizes good luck

emmie26 - 291 days ago.
erinb i feel your pain they just grow and grow if you need a good bra check out lane bryant i work there and we have some awesome bras the sizes start out at 36 b up to 48 h tin select styles they also have nursing bra's online in larger sizes good luck

erin b - 291 days ago.
My boobs have me very upset tonight. I can't seem to find a bra that fits so I finally measured myself-before I got pregnant I was a 38DD-now (at 34 weeks) I'm measuring at a 40G. I didn't even know they went that big! I just hope they don't get much bigger after baby is here-even though I'm sure they will since I'll be nursing.

deana m - 293 days ago.
okay i have my nipples pierced. can i still breastfeed with them in or no?

gemmaxxx - 295 days ago.
hi all, my breasts have been leaking since 12 weeks pregnany, anyone else had this?

dazieoo - 295 days ago.
okay.... Im 16 weeks pregnant with my first and I haven't noticed ANY changes with my breast.....is it too early to worry? My next dr. apoointment isn't until march 6th.

nicstyler - 296 days ago.
I just had a baby on Jan. 29th. Due to our baby being in the NICU, I can't breastfeed but I can pump. Well, I haven't had any milk come in. In fact, nothing. I'm pumping every three hours. What can I do and is this normal?

brittany l - 319 days ago.
dustins mommy- get the Lansinoh Lanolin!! that stuff is the best. all you do it put a tiny bit on your finger, rub it between your finger to soften it and then put it on your nipples. that stuff.. seriously it rocks! its about $10 a tube and you can get it basically anywhere! you can use it riight before the shower, right before b/feeding or pumping. its ALL natural so it is safe for baby if still on breastmilk.

kungfu-ronin - 320 days ago.
Spetty8093- I have been nursing my daughter for 16 months and even though my cycles were a little nutty, i got pregnant and am now 15 weeks along and am currently trying to wean my daughter now (NIGHTMARE) needless to say its always safe to test. Good luck!

spetty8903 - 320 days ago.
My period is almost 2 weeks late, but I'm too big of a wienie to test. My periods have been pretty regular for the past 6 months, even though I am breastfeeding a now 15-month old. I know that cycles can be weird while breastfeeding, but I'm pretty sure I ovulated around the 14th of December. I don't really have too many pregnancy symptoms--just sore nipples (not boobs), bloated and some mood swings. Should I test or does it just sound like breastfeeding took control of this month?

kungfu-ronin - 324 days ago.
JaniceH, i really wouldnt worry about not showing yet. Not for nothing but the baby is still small and many of these woman although they may feel like they are showing are just gaining weight. I have heard some people say they are showing a 6 weeks. 6 weeks? come on. I had an indepth talk with my midwife about this topic because i am 15 weeks and am not showing nearly as much as these other women are claiming and she said that its just weight gain. I do feel my uterus now but i dont have a big round belly as of yet. Generally around 4-5 months you start really showing when the baby accumulates weight and grows. Yes everyone is different but you will not have a belly at 12 weeks unless you let yourself go bc you had gotten pregnant or of course if you are having twins. This is a very excited time, congrats!

saharalu - 324 days ago.
is there anything I can do after pregnancy to re 'lift' my flattened breasts? pregnancy and breast feeding did a number on them and I want them back to their old selves.

JaniceH - 339 days ago.
Hi. I am in week 10. This week I have noticed that I am incredibly quick to irritated and super sensitive emotionally. I thought today how I missed my calm self. Then yesterday my breasts started hurting. Both entire breast hurt so much. I've been so tired from week 6, but when will my stomach begin to show? I hear of others already showing, but not me.