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Original poster

Expressing colostrum before birth - any luck?

33 replies

Alyssum34456 · 20/10/2019 21:44

Have tried a few times but nothing happens and the skin on my boobs just gets sore from constantly rubbing them. Any tips to make it work?

Also sorry if tmi but is it definitely liquid? Sometimes I get a discharge from nipples (not when I've tried expressing though!) which is orangey and hard, is this the same thing?

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Original poster

Alyssum34456 · 21/10/2019 07:42

Bump! I can't be the only one trying especially as London hospitals say you should be doing it

OP posts:

BertrandRussell · 21/10/2019 07:44

Sorry you’ve had no replies- is that really the advice nowadays? Why do they say it’s a good idea?

Soon2BeMumof3 · 21/10/2019 07:46

How many weeks are you?

Original poster

Alyssum34456 · 21/10/2019 07:48

38 - yeah it's supposed to stop overdue labour and prepare your body to make breastfeeding easier

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flissity · 21/10/2019 07:48

I’ve honestly never heard of this! I’m currently on baby number 3..

BeanBag7 · 21/10/2019 07:49

If its hurting and not working, don't bother. I don't know anyone who did this before birth. I actually did have a lot of colostrum (it's a thick yellow liquid) but didn't express because the info I read suggested it could cause uterine contractions. How many weeks are you?

flissity · 21/10/2019 07:49

Nipple stimulation releases oxytocin. Which you can do if you go overdue. Is this what you are thinking?

BertrandRussell · 21/10/2019 07:52

I’m no expert- but I would say if it hurts stop doing it!

PyjamasForever · 21/10/2019 07:53

Hand expressing shouldn't make your skin sore from rubbing, it's more of a squeezing motion. It usually takes about a minute of gentle squeezing on each side before I get anything. This video on the best beginnings website is useful web.bestbeginnings.org.uk/web/videos/breastfeeding/expressing-breast-milk

cloudatlaschapter2 · 21/10/2019 07:54

Hi there,
I was advised to do as there was a high chance my baby would have trouble regulating their sugars at birth and they wanted some on standby to give.

It took a week or so but I did get some, froze it and duly delivered to delivery ward for storage! Did we use it. Nope!

I was given a step by step sheet, advised to look at scan pic, relax before hand etc.

Soon2BeMumof3 · 21/10/2019 07:55

I hand expressed before youngests birth, and I was really glad I did because my child needed a feeding tube for the first day and I wouldn't have had enough milk for him if I hadn't already expressed some.

I was told to keep trying, even if you produce nothing. The act of hand expressing is still beneficial if you are trying to stimulate your breasts and help your colostrum and milk come in.

Have you been shown how to do it properly? I don't think 'rubbing' is the right word for the motion that would be effective.

TheBabyAteMyBrain · 21/10/2019 07:57

It shouldn't hurt, if it is you need to change your technique. Look on YouTube there are some great videos to give instruction.

I expressed colostrum for both dc before birth. I needed it with ds1, it meant dh was able to feed him while I was having surgery and during recovery. Ds2 was a simpler birth and latched well from the off so there was no need but I felt more comfortable having a stockpile in the freezer just in case. Good luck, once you get the hang of it it's easy.

Sunshineandsprinkles · 21/10/2019 11:03

I am due this week and have hand expressed a few days ago.
Nothing wrong with doing it once you're over 37/38 weeks - advice given to me from a breastfeeding support worker!
With my first baby, he struggled to latch due to a traumatic birth and the first 24hrs were incredibly stressful eventually leading to not breastfeeding.
This time around, I have expressed some to alleviate some of the mental stresses I may or may not face again. I'm certainly feeling more hopeful.
I found massaging the whole breast first helped the colostrum to start flowing. Hope this helps!

Original poster

Alyssum34456 · 21/10/2019 11:45

@sunshineandsprinkles how long did it take to come out after massaging?

OP posts:

Original poster

Alyssum34456 · 21/10/2019 11:46

@Soon2BeMumof3 I have been using the c shape with my hand rubbing up and down

OP posts:

Busydrinkingcoffee1 · 21/10/2019 11:48

I didn't start it intentionally but was having lots of baths just before DS was born and I always leaked after that. Maybe have a bath before you start trying again?

AsMuchUseAsAMarzipanDildo · 21/10/2019 11:52

Look at some videos online - it’s not such a rubbing motion. Also finger placement is vital - start about 1inch from your nipple and feel for where the texture of your breast changes to more “gristly”. Always squeeze...and hold for a few seconds - the colostrum may take a few seconds to reach the nipple - if you do it too fast you won’t see it. Lastly, your breast is like a cross-section of an orange or a clock if you prefer. If you don’t have luck with fingers at 6 and 12 o’clock, try 4 and 10 o’clock etc

Sunshineandsprinkles · 21/10/2019 16:29

@Alyssum34456 not long, maybe about a minute max. But then I've been leaking lots throughout the 2nd/3rd trimester so it comes easily.
Lots of great tips from PP - squeeze and hold to start the flow.

pooboobsleeprepeat · 21/10/2019 16:34

Have you looked at hand expressing techniques? There is a nak to it. I push back then squeeze out.

Pinkflipflop85 · 21/10/2019 18:34

Your hands/fingers shouldn't be rubbing against your skin.

Pinkflipflop85 · 21/10/2019 18:46

Also, don't pin any hope on it preventing you going overdue. I've been expressing since 37 weeks (medical reasons) and am now 40+3 with no sign of baby being ready to arrive!

Horehound · 21/10/2019 18:47

You honestly don't need to do this. Your baby will get it when it's born.

purplepalace · 21/10/2019 18:51

You really don't heed to be doing this, trust your body. This sounds stressful and painful. Colostrum will be released when your baby is born.

NW1985 · 21/10/2019 19:39

I froze quite a bit of colostrum and DD had it all while she was in special care and I couldn’t see her. I was so glad she hadn’t had to have formula instead. I would agree with the advice to look at some videos if you’re struggling.

Livingmagicallyagain · 21/10/2019 19:47

It’s so worth doing this. And yes, that sounds like colostrum! Mine was dark yellow/gold.

Freeze in tiny syringes, can be invaluable if separated from baby or of baby having trouble feeding.

And no, shouldn’t hurt.

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