Colostrum Harvesting

[DeeDeeAbi]

Hi girls,
Determined to try get some colostrum out this time and be able to store a little bit to take to hospital. Last pregnancy I swear my boobs produced nothing of anything and im so keen to try.
Just wondering if anyone had any tips on making it easier or less painful?
X

 

[Mel32]

Hi, you mean before you have the baby? I didnt really know people did this. Is there any particular reason you'd prefer to do it in advance?

I was just given help at the hospital as my son didn't take too easily to feeding we tried a syringe and only got a few mls eventually he took to feeding although it was up and down for a couple of weeks.

I had planned to try again this time but starting after birth again, hadnt really known much about people trying in advance.

 

[candymycandy]

As I understand it harvesting is for babies who might need supplementary feeds for medical reasons, so maybe discuss with your MW first? So once you're a few weeks off due date I'd maybe do the usual stuff like massaging boobs etc, I'd probably hand express to make less uncomfortable maybe? You can take things like fenugreek to boost supply (once baby here), it didn't work for me but I have PCOS so struggle with BF anyway x

 

[snowbee]

Have you been advised to? I was but unfortunately my appointment to get the advice and equipment turned out to be a week after my little boy was born! I found I was able to hand express a bit mainly after a warm shower.

 

[DeeDeeAbi]

Yeah I've got GD so best to try get a bit to give straight away. My last little boy had such a severe tongue tie he couldn't latch at all so just thinking this could be similar (runs in my husband's side of the family). My supply was non-existant too last time and just wanting to know I can at least produce that!! Xx

 

[DeeDeeAbi]

PS , I've heard about fenugreek, think I'll try it xx

 

[snowbee]

I could get a little bit out prior, they say every little drop counts so don't be disheartened if that is all you can get.

It took ages for my milk to arrive once they were here too so don't give up if you get to the stage where everyone is saying it should have arrived by now, loads and loads of feeding should help.

My mum, me, my sister and my little boy all have tongue tie (and still do as none of us have been snipped) so I think it can be genetic.

 

[DeeDeeAbi]

Thanks snowbee xx. I really want to try again with the BF but definitely won't get as upset if I can't this time, not worth it. Just really hoping to squeeze even a tiny bit of the good stuff out for baby ! Going to get a feeding kit from the MW next week and then from 36 wks ish try hand expressing some out. Just feel like my boobs are baron! After my son was born I struggled so bad to produce even a drop!

 

[candymycandy]

That makes sense then deedee. You're going into it with the right mindset. So easy to beat yourself up first time round. I'm going to give it my best shot again but try not to worry too much if it doesn't work out as well as I'd hoped. Let us know how you get on! x

 

[kumber]

Make sure you get yourself a good pump, the manual ones are crap for colostrum I think. Have you been told that it may send you into labour? I'm assuming so as you've been advised to pump but thought to check just in case. I think fenugreek only works for milk as opposed to colostrum, but as you've had supply issues in the past its definitely worth trying. Also eat LOTS of oats as they also boost your supply - biscuits and cereals worked well for me

 

[snowbee]

Also drink loads, way more than you think. I found if I dropped below a pint every two hours it really knocked back my production.

 

[DeeDeeAbi]

Thank you ladies. The oats will have to wait until til baby is here I'm afraid, but will try that too! I was going to rent a Medela pump once baby is here if I can establish a supply, and hand express before? Yes o knew about that it can trigger labour, maybe I should wait until 37 weeks? Such a minefield. Bf seems so simple on paper until you discover all the little ins and outs of it! I felt like such a failure last time, I refuse to allow myself to feel that way again though! I think I'd be overjoyed if I could take even a couple of mm of colostrum into hospital with me, how sad is that! Xx

 

[snowbee]

If you have GD are you being induced early? If you are then I wouldn't worry too much about expressing starting labour.

 

[DeeDeeAbi]

Yeah from 38 weeks ��. The more I read about BF the less I want to do it, is that awful?? I just want to be able to give some colostrum and I honestly think that would be enough for me xx

 

[snowbee]

Totally your choice, I would recommend giving it a try then deciding.

I'm breastfeeding my little boy who will be 5 months tomorrow and I love it. I also find it simple and convinient as you don't need to carry loads of stuff about or get up in the night. There are days when all he does is eat but it won't be forever and the benefits for us both I think makes it worth doing for us.

 

[DeeDeeAbi]

Definitely. I think I'm overwhelming myself. I'll go with the flow xx