expressing colostrum before birth

[frankiebuns]

Ireally want to bf my baby and I know there is a risk of dd having hyperglycameia as I have been on beta blockers for so longb people have suggested expressing ante natally if I squeeze I get this part cloudy watery stuff come out more out of the left than right. What do I need to do is thus normal? Help

Hi, I commented on your other thread but I think you missed it.
Firstly, good idea. colostrum is very helpful in that scenario.
Secondly, you need to speak to someone, midwife, gp, consultant, or ring the postnatal ward, and get your hands on some feeding syringes. You will need 1ml to start with, maybe 5 ml if you get going, theyll look tiny buy take AGES to fill, one drop at a time!
then express drops of colostrum and scoop them up with the end of the syringe. when it's full, put it back in its packet, label and freeze.
I personally found that as time went on I could get more and more out, and by the time do was born was pumping up to 40mls a day, but everyone was a bit shocked by this, so I don't know how usual it is.
Anyway, keep expressing and freezing, then when you go in to deliver, pop them into a freezer bag with an ice block or two and hand them straight in when you get there and ask for them to be put into a hospital freezer. its there ready then for when you need it.
DD did fantastically on hers, she didn't lose any birth weight at all.

Sounds like you are on the right track. I did this for a friend earlier this year- her bub (due shortly after mine) had cleft lip on scan so she wanted all she could gather! Advise from a lactation consultant would be ideal (you don't want to start
Too early etc). I just hand expressed as you would breastmilk normally (my second baby so had done this before) collected drops into a spoon, and syringed up when a little puddle gathered. Made sure everything was 'sterilised' with boiling water, and clean linen to rest on... Used 5ml syringes bought over the counter at pharmacist. Only did it for 2 weeks- got 6ml per sitting at the end- I'm sure it would have kept increasing. Bonus was my milk came in within 48hours when DD arrived... Who knows if related, but much faster than with DS1. Good luck

Thankypu for ur advice! It took 4 days for milk to come in first time I think my body has got the idea now

I

I'm 37 weeks when should I start I'm having a c section in 11 days is it too early

I expressed colostrum before my dd was born - it was really beneficial for all of us! I started only getting 1ml a day but after a month was getting 10ml per day.

Saggy's advice about how to collect and store it is spot on - but I bought syringes from the chemist - but they were £1 each so if you can get some for free then that's much better!

start straight away.

Might be worth going along to a bf support group for advice on hand expressing technique. It's amazing how many health professionals haven't a clue.

Otherwise good luck - you're being so pro-active and it will really benefit your baby x

Think I've left it too late I have 11 dayz lol but I'll give it ago

you've got time, every drop counts! source those syringes ASAP and get expressing!