Ahhh...crusty nipples...?? :/

[hapi2bhealthy]

Yeh...been happening for a while but I just thought it was dry skin...and today it was a bit more than normal and I can, erm, peel it off, and it looks like dried pus except not as thick. Sorry gross I know but well..is it colostrum coming in?? I was around a baby today so maybe my boobs kicked in a bit more? They're not sore or anything but wondering if I should be on the lookout for blockages or anything? Should I clean them or leave them be for now? Peel the dried stuff off...??

Joys of pregnancy...

 

[1eighty]

Uh, I've had this too. Soak it off in the shower or with a flannel, and yes I think it's the colostrum, because a lil poke and prod actually produces it after a bit (I know, I'm gross).

 

[Emerald87]

Hehehe ok yeh I have them too; I tend to clean my nipples rather than just leaving them there. It's colostrum

 

[x-ginge-x]

I have this I clean them and then moisturize with boots nipple cream x

 

[WTBmyBFP]

Yes'm! Colostrum is typically yellow with clear waxy leakage and milk is more white. They both crust up fantastically and can make you stick to fabrics, yourself, and if you aren't careful your OH.

 

[Mamabean4ever]

Mine are just sticky a little and have a tiny bit of crusties......SO HAPPY THOUGH Maybe I'll be able to breast feed this time I didn't produce milk for my last.

 

[hapi2bhealthy]

Yes, waxy is the right way to describe it! OK, good I'm planning on xclusive breastfeeding so this is a good sign I guess.

 

[Spunky]

I got this the last time around. I was 14 weeks and thought my nipples were dry. The MW told me at my 16 week scan it was colostrum. The bad news for me is it did increase through pregnancy, not a lot, but it stained some of my bras with little yellow grossness and so I started wearing breast pads in third tri to keep my bras nice (not that it leaked a lot, but enough that I was annoyed!). I was able to exclusively BF my son (and still am nursing twice a day now as he's 13 months). Best of Luck!

 

[LolaAnn]

Haha yup! I leaked from 17 weeks (like had to wear breast pad leaking) and am waiting for it to start again soon. It's no indication of your power at breastfeeding lol but you should be able to the body is amazing huh!

 

[hapi2bhealthy]

I got this the last time around. I was 14 weeks and thought my nipples were dry. The MW told me at my 16 week scan it was colostrum. The bad news for me is it did increase through pregnancy, not a lot, but it stained some of my bras with little yellow grossness and so I started wearing breast pads in third tri to keep my bras nice (not that it leaked a lot, but enough that I was annoyed!). I was able to exclusively BF my son (and still am nursing twice a day now as he's 13 months). Best of Luck!

Thanks for the tip! Yes it started around the same time for me. I already have some breast pads (pressie) so I'll use them if needed. Good to know and hopefully I can EBF as well, clearly my milk is prob not going to be a prob!

 

[Spunky]

I do agree with a PP that leaking colostrum doesn't mean that you will be a good milk producer, some have had plenty of colostrum and no milk. BUT I choose to think positive until proven otherwise! So H&H and good luck Breast Feeding! It can be magical, but it can also be horrible! (haha, he wouldn't take bottles, so ALL feeds were MINE which is exhausting in the beginning. AND my nipples hurt for 3 months! I had a newborn I didn't know what to do with, but all he waned to do was eat - refused pacifier too - and I would sit and cry while he fed. BUT I am so glad we did it and it was the best thing for us. He refused solids until 9 months! So we got a LOT of EBF in!)

 

[Glowbug]

Wow I got this today. When I pulled out the dried yellowish stuff there were gapping holes in my nipples!!!!! Omg I have wholes in them?

I thought this stuff happened in third tri.

 

[Spunky]

Nah, it can happen way sooner, for me 14 weeks. Yep, the holes are where the milk will come out!

 

[hapi2bhealthy]

I thought my nipples only had one hole! ...??

Should I be cleaning the waxy residue out or just leave it to self clean? Dont want to start out with bad nipples if I intend to EBF....that ain't ideal!

 

[Spunky]

Meh, I left it. Supposedly you're only supposed to wash your nipples with water as soap can dry them out. When I peeled/scrubbed it off more just came out and they were crusty again.

It's interesting, you apparently have many. I can't remember how many but 9 comes to mind (there is an average range, but I don't remember it). Cause I was like CRAP there are 9 holes on each nipple?!?! It's crazy, if you pump you can see the milk spray out from several spots in different directions. Made me feel like a cow being milked, but got the job done!


Edited to add: I believe there is a hole for each milk duct. There are many. If/when you get engorged is when I felt the individual ones cause they were all swollen.


Feel like a crazy, but looked it up and one website said "You will have two or three of these holes in the center of your nipple, and three to five more arranged around the center." So I guess it's like 5-8, don't know where I got 9.

 

[hapi2bhealthy]

wow, I had no idea!! HAHAHA, learn something new every day!

I only wash with water anyway, except my acne riddled face (thanks, pregnancy! It was fine before you!)...ok I'll leave them and start to wear breast pads if my bras start to get ruined!