Questions & Answers

a tip that might help, buy breast pads (washable but disposable would probably be better) and put some Vaseline on your nipples, the breastpad will stop it from getting into your bra and the Vaseline is an awesome moisturizer, it will also help if your leaking colostrum, prevent the itchiness and stop you from potentially sticking to your bra if you leak more than usual

If you want to check if your leaking colostrum massage your breast, make sure tip of nipple is clear of the flakey stuff :) then gently massage and squeeze your breast from mid-point towards the tip and see it a little clearish fluid appears on the nipple, I found this out accidently when trying to see my nipple better when I thought I had dry skin and kind of pinched it to tip it up for a better look and saw the fluid, it was a total aha moment that I asked my midwife about and she said definitely colostrum :)

It might be dryness, is it only on the tip of the nipple? around 20 weeks is when you breasts start producing colostrum, the first food for baby, some women (me included) leak small (or sometimes large) amounts of this fluid, it is clear and slightly yellowish and also sweet and sticky, when it leaks and dries you can think you have dry nipples when actually it's dry colostrum and not dry skin. Itching can be a bad side effect during pregnancy for skin everywhere but especially the breast due to increased blood flow and stretching skin. It's very annoying I agree, the itchiness sometimes drives me bonkers especially at night, you can try a warm oatmeal bath then lather up while you are still damp with some cocoa butter, moisturizing after a warm bath or shower makes it more effective. Best of luck!!!

and keep up the moisturizer after the compresses.

I had the same thing earlier this pregnancy. When I went into the ocean in the Bahamas. it disappeared completely. I had itchy, dry, peeling, cracked nipples that BLED. Try a salt water, Baking soda and warm water compresses daily... salt water heals and brings down inflammation.

Thank you both for the responses! My boobs have definitely gotten much larger with pregnancy (over two cup sizes larger now!!!) and my husband has commented on how huge my nipples have gotten so I am thinking that has something to do with it. Hopefully it stops eventually and until then I will just keep lathering on the moisturizers!

I have had very mild peeling/skin shedding on my nipples. They haven't really itched though, or at least not so badly that I couldn't ignore it. I wish I had advice, but alas I don't. It seems to come and go for me, so I can't really say if it will fade on its own.

Happens to me every time around 20 weeks! You are not alone! I think its because boobs get bigger and "change" when pregnant. No real advice but wanted you to know you are not alone :)