Montgomery glands are small oil-producing glands on the areola, the darker circle of skin surrounding each nipple. They appear as tiny, raised bumps on the skin’s surface, and most people have anywhere from 2 to 28 of them per areola. You may never notice them until pregnancy, hormonal shifts, or breastfeeding causes them to enlarge and become more visible.
Where They Are and What They Look Like
Montgomery glands sit just beneath the surface of the areola, scattered around the nipple. The bumps they create on the skin are sometimes called Montgomery’s tubercles. They can be flesh-colored or slightly darker than the surrounding areola, and they vary in size from barely noticeable to clearly raised. The number differs from person to person, and having more or fewer is completely normal.
Outside of pregnancy, many people never give these bumps a second thought. They blend into the natural texture of the areola and don’t cause any discomfort. But when hormone levels shift, particularly when estrogen rises, the glands can swell enough to become obvious for the first time.
What Montgomery Glands Actually Do
These glands produce an oily secretion that keeps the areola and nipple moisturized and protected. That thin layer of oil acts as a natural barrier against friction, dryness, and cracking, which becomes especially important during breastfeeding when the nipple is under constant use. The secretion also has mild antimicrobial properties, helping to keep the skin around the nipple clean.
There’s a lesser-known function that researchers have found particularly fascinating: the secretion carries volatile scent compounds that help guide a newborn to the breast. In a study published in PLoS One, researchers observed that the smell of areolar gland secretions triggered a measurable response in newborns. Babies exposed to the scent took deeper breaths and showed increased alertness, a pattern suggesting they were actively drawn to the odor. The scent appears to help infants align their head with the nipple and latch more effectively during their earliest feeding attempts. This olfactory signal may also play a role in early bonding between parent and baby.
Why They Change During Pregnancy
Montgomery glands often become noticeably larger during the first trimester, and for some people, this is one of the earliest visible signs of pregnancy. The enlargement is driven by rising estrogen, which triggers widespread changes in breast tissue during those early weeks. Estrogen stimulates the breast’s ductal system to expand and branch out, and it prompts the pituitary gland to increase production of prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production.
As the glands grow, the areola itself typically darkens and widens. These changes all serve the same purpose: preparing the breast for breastfeeding. The glands stay enlarged throughout pregnancy and lactation, reaching what researchers describe as their “functional climax” during this period. After breastfeeding ends, they usually shrink back down, though in some people they remain somewhat more prominent than before.
Other Reasons They Become More Visible
Pregnancy isn’t the only trigger. You might notice your Montgomery glands becoming more prominent during your menstrual period, when estrogen levels naturally rise and fall. People taking estrogen supplements for menopause may also see them enlarge. Physical stimulation of the nipple, temperature changes, and even tight clothing can temporarily make the bumps more noticeable. None of these situations is a cause for concern.
Blocked or Irritated Glands
Like any oil-producing gland in the body, Montgomery glands can occasionally become blocked. A blocked gland may look like a small, firm bump on the areola, sometimes with mild redness or tenderness around it. In most cases, the blockage resolves on its own without any intervention.
The most important thing to avoid is squeezing or picking at the bumps. This can introduce bacteria and lead to infection, turning a minor issue into a painful one. Keeping the area clean with warm water (no soap directly on the areola, which strips the gland’s natural oils) and applying a warm compress can help a blocked gland open up naturally.
If a bump becomes increasingly painful, red, swollen, or starts to discharge pus, that may signal an infection. Similarly, if you notice any new lumps that feel different from the small, uniform texture of normal Montgomery glands, or if you develop sudden nipple discharge, skin changes, or a newly inverted nipple, those are worth having evaluated. A nipple that has always been inverted is typically not a concern, but one that recently turned inward should be checked.
Caring for Them During Breastfeeding
Because the oily secretion from Montgomery glands serves as a built-in moisturizer and antimicrobial shield, the best approach during breastfeeding is to let them do their job. Washing the areola with harsh soaps, alcohol-based products, or antiseptic wipes can strip away the protective oils and leave the nipple more vulnerable to cracking and soreness. Rinsing with warm water during regular bathing is enough.
If you’re experiencing nipple dryness or cracking despite the glands’ natural lubrication, a small amount of expressed breast milk rubbed into the skin and allowed to air-dry can supplement the glands’ output. The glands are working hardest during lactation, so supporting rather than overriding their function tends to give the best results.