Struggling to harvest Colostrum with GD

[Crazybrowncow]

Hey, anyone that has or had GD struggling with harvesting colostrum. Just nothing is coming out, how long does it take?. I feel a bit overwhelmed that it seems like a necessity if you have GD. When I had DC1 a nurse helped me and barely got any postpartum, so not sure whether I am fighting a losing battle this time at 37 wks. Any advice would be very welcome.

I have no advice, but I've tried with two kids and never got a hint of colostrum, think it doesn't come easily for some people. Sorry if that's not very helpful but I thought I was doing it wrong for ages but I wasn't, my body just doesn't seem to work like that, not much I could do about it. Hopefully some people can give some tips but don't beat yourself up about it.

I don't have GD but im also 37 weeks. I got absolutely nothing when i was pregnant with my first child but managed 1ml on my first try tonight, i think it just depends. Try drinking plenty tomorrow and try again

I also never managed to harvest colostrum and even slightly hurt myself trying and thought that meant I wouldn't be able to breastfeed. I breastfed for well over 2y without much problem.

Harvesting colostrum is just a bit of an unnatural thing to do, imo. At least, unnecessary.

I agree totally. I was barely ever able to express a drop with DC1 but had a healthy supply and fed for 2.5 years.

Have you got the BFing Helpline numbers? If you ring, one of the BFCs might be able to give you some tips.

Congratulations on the PG too. How long until baby is here?

It makes me sad to hear mums on here stressing about colostrum harvesting. Maybe it’s a nice to have but it’s really not a necessity and most mums who can’t donut breastfeed just fine after birth.

Thank you all for sharing your experiences. I also went in to BF for 18mths with DC1. This thread has made me feel calmer. I will continue to keep trying (gently) but not sweat it if I can't.

Baby due in just over a week! Eeek!

Honestly I did it and it was really bloody hard (and I'd bf two babies previously). Managed to take in some syringes and then they didn't even use them!! Baby didn't need it - he latched on and fed and was totally fine. Never saw those syringes again. I was really annoyed! So I'd say just don't bother if it's a struggle.

I was trying from 37 weeks but didn't get anything until almost 39 weeks! Your body might just not be ready yet. Keep giving it a go anyway! I found holding a hot water bottle to my chest for a while in advance helped, as did being really really relaxed (this is hard when you're putting pressure on yourself).

Following with interest as I also have GD and planning to try harvesting for the first time next week when I reach 37 weeks.

I did it and although I luckily managed to harvest quite a lot (I ended up with about 6 syringes) I used none! Left them at home as I completely forgot about them 😂 Baby passed all there sugars despite being jaundice and sleepy and therefore not the best feeder to begin with. The midwife actually helped me harvest colostrum after birth due to DC being a bit sleepy but she threw all that up anyways 😅 if there is any concerns over the sugars the hospital will do what they need to to bring them up 😊 Baby having low sugars as well is only common in mothers who have poorly controlled GD with regular high blood sugars ( baby produces more insulin to compensate and continues to do so after birth - thus low sugars). So if you have controlled them well there shouldn’t be any issue with BS either!

Just curious about why you would want to.
Never tried it myself, BF several times for months without problems.

As far as harvesting tips though, I would wait till after I had had a bath in the evening (I love baths so would be relaxed and happy after this) and would get comfy on the sofa with TV on that I liked and gave it a go - relaxation (an endorphins)is key. I actually expressed onto a tea spoon / into a medicine cup I had sterilised in hot water as I found the syringe too fiddly. I then sucked what was harvested up by the syringe.

IT’s recommended when you have GD as babies are at higher risk of low blood sugars at birth (I’ve explained why above). Therefore they suggesting bringing syringes of colostrum in to feed to the baby incase they are struggling to feed at the breast for whatever reason, to help bring the blood sugars up without any other sort of interventions 😊

It's standard practice if you have GD.

What worked for me was a nice hot shower before hand, give your boobs a good massage and maybe put a warm flannel on them. Express the colostrum into a sterile teaspoon first instead of trying to syringe it straight from your nipples.

I had GD and couldn't get any colostrum pre birth and was really worried, but in the end she fed really well immediately and passed all her blood sugar checks. I don't think ability to harvest it before birth predicts how you'll do when the baby is here, hopefully you'll be grand.