Is it possible to start producing milk at 17 weeks? I woke up this morning with a small amount of…

Yes! With my first pregnancy I would leak like crazy early on but with my second pregnancy I rarely leaked, everyone is different but its definitely possible.

it's not milk at this point. it's colostrum which is what your baby will need (if you choose to breast feed) for the first few days after birth until your milk comes in. it usually takes around 3-5 days after birth for your actual breast milk to come in. colostrum is highly nutritious. lactation consultants call it liquid gold for a good reason. it's packed full of antibodies and other nutrients your baby will need to establish its gut flora as well.

since you know about this, I'm a FTM. and I plan on breastfeeding. and I've heard about the colostrum and how beneficial it can be...when do you start pumping for that? @lbn_aznsmom13

You don't @_jfelder_ baby will get that once they are born:) pumping before birth can cause preterm labor. it stimulates the nipples which signals the body to make oxytocin. oxytocin is what signals your uterus to begin contracting an starts labor. pumping is actually not recommended for the first 4-6 weeks after birth so your body can establish your milk supply. your nipples have receptors in them which when you breastfeed your babies saliva sends them signals on how much to produce and the antibodies your baby needs. pumping before your milk is well established can lead to an over supply which can and in most cases does cause clogged ducts and mastitis which is an infection a very painful infection in the breasts. your baby will only need the colostrum for the first few days in which it will transition into its more milky state. during those feeds baby will not take in as much as you may think but they will get all they need to. its very rich in everything baby needs for those first few days to help get their gut flora developed. plus during those feeds your body continues producing oxytocin which helps your uterus shrink back to size after giving birth by helping it to contract still. skin to skin is very beneficial in milk production as well :)

THANK YOU! I've been trying to read up on it and that was extremely helpful @lbn_aznsmom13

you're welcome! @_jfelder_ there is a page on Facebook I found very helpful. message me I will tell you it's name