Tommee Tipee closer to Nature Breast Pump £6.11 in Tesco, reduced from £25, plus some questions on bf

[sarahken]

I was just in my local Tesco before and managed to pick up a Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Breast Pump which comes in a sterilser box with some free breast pads. Think it was £6.11 reduced from about £25 so thought this was a bargain that may interest some of you

I'm due in 2 weeks, but just wondering if I try using it now will it encourage labour. I have started to leak some milk a few days ago so thought it may encourage my milk also, as last time I gave up and went to bottle feeding after two days as the midwives told me I had no colostrum left. Can some please offer me some advice, really want to get this labour started as I have a c-section booked on the 19th at 40+3 and would prefer to labour naturally if I can

Antenatal expressing usually has no effect on initiation of labour nor on milk supply post birth, sorry! Some people do talk about nipple stimulation to try to induce labour, but from what I remember it has to be quite a long time each day. You'd probably find another technique than expressing more pleasant .

Relaxation, visualisation and believing your baby will be born when you want it are more likely to have an effect, IMO. Have you considered postponing your planned C-section if you haven't gone into labour by then? Obviously I don't know the reason you have this planned, but remember it is up to you to decide whether or not to accept an offer of a planned section.

Good luck!

Also, the advice you were given last time sounds awful . Babies can manage on colostrum for several days if need be. It is only there in tiny quantities, but is very rich so that is all that is needed. Even if none can be expressed then as long as the baby is feeding effectively this is all that matters.