Pregnancy Symptoms & Complaints: Breast Leakage

Leaky breasts toward the end of pregnancy are a sign that your body's preparing to breastfeed. Find out what causes them and how to feel better.

By the editors of Parents magazine

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What causes breast leakage in pregnancy?

After five or six months, many women leak colostrum, a thick, creamy-white or yellowish discharge that is produced before breast milk. This is simply a sign that your breasts are preparing for lactation. Rich in protein and antibodies, colostrum has less fat and sugar than mature milk, which comes in a few days after delivery. It's great for your newly born baby, who gains protection against disease and bacterial infection from the colostrum as he or she breastfeeds during the first few days of life.

Next: What relieves breast leakage in pregnancy?