Home Forums Breastfeeding Breastfeeding Milk Coming From Areola

Hello. I am breastfeeding my new baby (with no problems, praise God) and the other day noticed milk coming out of one spot about halfway between the nipple and the areola. This was just on the right side, but now I've noticed it on the left as well (almost symmetrical location). Has anyone here heard of such a thing? I just found out the baby has surpassed his birth weight by 10 oz at our two week checkup, so I know he's okay but I'm concerned just the same since I haven't heard mention of this sort of thing in any of the books, websites, and literature I've read.

Thanks in advance,

JJ

I am assuming you noticed this while nursing? There are what are called montgomery glands in that area. But I am thinking your baby is not latched far enough back. You should not be able to see much areola if any at all while nursing. Baby should be taking as much of the areola into its mouth as possible.

Interesting... what are montgomery glands? What are they for, what do they do? These particular "spots" are about 3/4 inch away from the nipple (the areolas are about inch and a half radius) and are just outside my baby's mouth. It's neat to watch the droplets slowly suck into his mouth as he nurses (I hope that doesn't mean his latch is bad). How far up should the baby be? I'm not sure I can get more into his mouth (I feel like I'm too big for him as it is) but I will definately scour this site and others for ways to do just that. FWIW, I don't get sore or anything, unless something startles him and he slips down to the nipple.

Thanks for replying!

If you have rather large nipples (including areola) then he is probably latched fine. Mine peek out a little bit as they are quite large too. I did a search for Montgomery glands here is one link http://navymedicine.med.navy.mil/womenshealth/index.cfm?docid=14721

This happened to me. I noticed it while I was hand expressing. It was like I had a little hole in my areola. Like a little pin hole or something.
Julie

Hi JJ,

CONGRATULATIONS on your new baby and on your fabulous breastfeeding experience!!

This is nothing to be alarmed about. Some moms leak from a montgomery gland, the bumps you see around your nipple. This is a gland that is thought to produce a lubricant for the nipple/areolar complex. Sometimes they leak a little milk. It's nothing to be concerned about.

Hope this helps. Best,

Thanks everyone for their replies- I'm glad to know that 1) it's nothing to be concerned about and 2) I'm not the only one with a "pinhole" in her areola. :-)

JJ

Thank God!
I'm breastfeeding my 3 months old daughter and this areola leakage was worrying me!
I started reading weird stuff about breast cancer and some similar symptoms of liquid leakage from areola!!
I breastfed my 2 year old daughter for over a year and this has never happened!
I'm glad Its nothing serious <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the useful info <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Dear Mom of 2,

If you have breastfed before and never had leakage from your areola, then it would be a good idea to see a breastfeeding friendly doctor to find out why suddenly you are leaking. You want to rule out anything other than run of the mill leakage.

Best,