Can you freeze expressed Colostrum and if so how long for?

[dejags]

I am currently 22 weeks pregnant with our 3rd child.

I have had a breast reduction so breastfeeding can be a bit hit & miss (well it was with DS1 & DS2 ). I would love to feed our new DD but it will take a while to get established.

It seems a shame that I am leaking colostrum now and it's going to waste - is it freezeable? If it is I'd love to be able to give it to her after she is born in the event that BF'ing doesn't work out.

Anybody know?

[dejags]

• well of course I will feed her, just a question of which is successful - norks vs bottle

[dejags]

BUMP

[shonaspurtle]

I have read (would need to check this) that some hospitals actually recommend mothers freezing colostrum pre-birth to feed to their babies.

I think it was on a thread about mothers with diabetes to avoid their babies being fed formula top ups to control their blood sugar? Might be worth doing a search of old threads.

[dejags]

Thank you.

I did a search and there was a little bit of information - mainly from Mears.

Essentially it is totally possible to express colostrum but only from 36 weeks of pregnancy. Nipple stimulation can contribute to the onset of labour so I'll only start then.

So glad that I'll at least be able to do this

[moondog]

Oh yes.
Do!
Liquid gold!!
Hope it works out this time.

[dejags]

Cheers Moondog.

I know it sounds all hippy-esque but I am going to try some positive visualisation techniques. Quite out of character for me. But this is really, really important to me.

It's difficult to know who can BF after a reduction. Some have no problem, others do.

For me, although the milk was there, I just didn't have the confidence to go with it. I was terrified I'd starve the little guzzlers .

Who knows - I'll keep you all posted

[expatinscotland]

I did! And gave it to DD2 in a syringe. The hospital was helpful in this.

[dejags]

How far in advance of the birth did you start Expat? May I ask why you needed to?