milk supply question

[Sunkissed19]

okay, this might be a dumb question but here goes anyway....are you supposed to start leaking colostrum at some point during your pregnancy? i havent leaked at all....ive tried squeezing and everything and nothing...not a drop (im 33 weeks) My breasts also have barely grown my whole pregnancy...everyone always talks about how huge they got when they were pregnant and how they had to wear nipple pads to keep from leaking all over...am i still going to produce a good supply of milk when the time comes? even if my breasts dont seem to be "filling up" ....im just really worried about this because i REALLY want to be able to breast feed and it would just disappoint me so much if i couldnt because i had a weak milk supply.
Oh and another question...a relative told me that it would be a good idea to start toughing up my nipples by rubbing a towel back and fourth against them (like when i first get out of the shower) to prepare for breastfeeding..is she right? seems kinda strange to me. im taking a breast feeding class on the 18th in which im sure ill get the answers to these questions but the curiosity is getting the best of me.

[Sunkissed19]

lol ok thanks ladies good to know that the not leaking deal is normal and i'll leave my nipples alone haha!!

[tiredbuthappy]

i didn't leak with either pregnancy and have had plenty of milk!
and no on the "toughening" of nipples.

[Ladybugbc]

I don't think leakage happens to every one during the pregnancy. I am 32wks and nothing's leaking yet :)

[30something13]

I herd the towel thing from a LLC and did it with my first. I would say it doesn't amke enough difference! The key to nursing is getting the latch right! If you have that you will not be sore really. I ahve nursed three. It can bring on contractions but the pain does sway away from that even happening! It is the arousal stimulation that brings on the hormones not that type of stimulation. I would not do it though and when you nurse use tea bags and not nipple cream as the cream will soften them and make ti hurt worse!!!!!!!!!!! I had to pump with my third as she was in the NICU and got a couple sores and I was told about the tea bags becasue the cream was NOT working. In two days I was fine from the tea bags!

[tarajanes]

No most definately not hun.its the oppisite. its interesting with the old family members they come up with all this stuff.
I agree im the same would rather wait,trust me by time your little one comes you have plenty of supply.Oh tell me about the braxton hicks,i get them so regular now mins apart.they do come  more stronger.Infact ouch having one now :)

[faye83]

Omg I flinched when I read the "rub with towels" part lol! you have to be a true warrior to do that! my nipples are super sensitive right now, I'd just be crying!
But anyways, to the point. I'm 37w and havent leaked anything yet. Tried squeezing a little out and got less than a drop when I was around 33w and then at 35 w tried again and nothing.  It depends on the woman. I think we should consider ourselves lucky that our milk/colostrum is not coming out yet and not making a mess in our clothes lol

[Sunkissed19]

thats what i was thinking because i had heard that nipple stimulation brings on contractions as well but a lot of my older family members seem to think toughing up your nipples is a necessary thing to help them not be so painful later on? i think id rather take my chances with "weak" nipples than to start seriously contracting. (been having plenty of braxton hicks all on my own)

[tarajanes]

Leaking breast.some will start others will start later.even after birth,here i am 40 weeks +4 and havent had them leak yet.
No dont start rubbing your nipples.nipple stimulation can bring on labour.some midwifes will suggest doing this when late,but needs to be under supervision as does cause severe contraction.