Lactating

I didn't until after my son was delivered at 39 weeks

Crotch lightening and lactation don’t go hand in hand so I’m not sure if you think you should be lactating because of that or? I didn’t lactate until after I gave birth

I've started leaking slightly there is golden crust at the nipple entrance sometimes, I notice it at the end of the day mostly. I'm only 26 weeks along

I was able to hand express colostrum at 35.5 weeks. With my OBs permission I began storing it for when my son arrived. Liquid gold.

I didn’t. Fed my baby on demand since he was born. Lightning crotch has nothing to do w lactation and although we may leak milk when pregnant and our boobs are making milk, it doesn’t actually flow until the placenta is out, once the placenta is out that signals to our body that we have a baby to feed and so they feed our colostrum for a few days and then milk “comes in” on day 3-4 usually. But they don’t need anything but colostrum to get them through the first couple days. The more they feed the more signals go to your body to make more milk so cluster feeding in the first couple days is normal.

I didn’t produce anything till after my baby was born

Colostrum started late second trimester. Then milk came in two days PP

I started lactating right when my babies were born. I think that’s the norm. I do remember with my first, the day I went in to get induced that before I went to the hospital I was able to squeeze out a bit of milk.

Usually your milk comes in around 4 days post partem. You may produce colostrum prior to this but it's really only good to harvest after 36 weeks.

@Kayleah how and where did you store it?

@Riti first in 1mm medical grade syringes, stored in dated baggies in the freezer. Then after 38 weeks pumped into breast milk storage bags, also labeled and kept in the freezer.

You won’t produce milk until a few days after baby is born! It’s all colostrum until then which is very good for baby.

I had colostrum from 16wks, 5wks & 10wks (3 pregnancies) but you won’t produce breastmilk until after you deliver the placenta. It’s usually between 2-5 days. For me it was between days 2-3.

I started lactating at about 22-24 weeks. i don't remember ever having lighting crotch and I went over i was induced at 41+2

hmm, I started leaking a bit around 36 weeks too, but it really varies for everyone, so just hang in there! here's what the 'Heal Baby Care App' says.... "Lactation can begin at different times for each individual, but many women notice some colostrum leakage in the weeks leading up to labor, often around 36 weeks or later. Feeling "lightening" or a drop in the belly can indicate that the baby is moving lower into the pelvis, which often happens as you approach labor. It's normal to experience these changes as your body prepares for delivery. Have you noticed any other signs of labor approaching, such as contractions or changes in your energy levels?