Is it possible to express milk before baby is born and save in freezer/ fridge?

[mamaLou13]

I leak alot before baby is born so should i just express rather than wasting it?

You can do if you want to, but try not to think of it as wasted, you'll make plenty more :)

Only if you just have it there in the freezer as a back up in case of an emergency/problem with baby latching, not so you can give supplements when they aren't needed.

If you give baby additional feeds when they could be bfing directly it can scupper milk supply as you would be telling your body to make less milk and in the early days you need to feed on cue so your body knows how much to make.

If you aren't on any meds and fulfill other criteria you may be able to donate any frozen colostrum you haven't used to prem/ill babies via a milk bank - details here.

Absolutely, and I'd highly recommend it. Colostrum is liquid gold and you'll be giving your baby a complete gift! Particularly if baby needs special care (jaundice for example) or you have any special concerns (gestational diabetes, CS, assisted delivery etc) which could mean a delay in your milk arriving or a need to get baby feeding regularly ASAP, having a supply you bring all back on will be invaluable and avoid the need for formula top-ups if you're set on breastfeeding. Go for it!

Not recommended before 36 weeks gestation (very small hormonal trigger risk of early labour). You'll only produce colostrom before the baby is born and the placenta is delivered so don't expect to fill the feezer before the baby arrives Your baby will only need very small amounts of colostrom in the first few days of life so there's no need to express lots of it unless, like truthsweet says you would consider donating it (a good idea to speak to a milk bank before you start pumping away). It's also best to allow baby to get all their suckling needs (feeding and comfort) directly from the breast in the first few weeks as this the key to fulfilling, maintaining and establishing your milk supply.

Good luck with the new babe when it comes