Harvesting Colostrum

[Letsallscreamatthesistene]

Hi guys!

Just wanted some advice in expressing before the due date.

Im 32 weeks now, and wandered when the best time is to do it? How much is normal to get out? Im 'squeezed' my boobs a few times now and got a drop of clearish fluid, but thats it. Do you do it with a pump?

Any knowledge would be really helpful! Thanks!

Have you been advised to do it? Normally would use syringes to collect it

I have just started this - my hospital do it for twins as a ‘just in case’ as they are born early. I’ve been told not do it before 36 weeks as it can induce labour so you shouldn’t try before that. I’ve only been trying the last 2 days and have only managed the most minuscule amount!! But apparently that’s quite normal too. Speak to your midwife and they can give you some syringes and will tell you how to store/freeze them to ensure they can be used.

Ive been told its a good idea 'just in case'.

Im not planning on doing it yet, I think 32 weeks is bit early. But i'd like to know the info just so I can start getting things straight in my head

The midwives I've spoken to have said it's not advised to do it until 36 weeks as it's rare, but can cause contractions.

I got given syringes to collect it in and some leaflets on how to do it by hand and to freeze it with the date on once it's collected. I don't think it's recommended to do it with a pump as it's only needed in small amounts and can potentially cause damage as it's not a full established supply of 'mature' milk.

You will only get tiny amounts as its colostrum rather than milk. You would use your hands not a pump

This is the video that was on the leaflet my midwives gave me:

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/breastfeeding-resources/hand-expression-video/amp/

As PP says above though they are quite strict about how the colostrum is stored and labelled so do chat to your midwife about it first.

I did it last pregnancy from about 35/36 weeks as I had GDM and it’s recommended as a back-up in case of low blood sugars and difficulties feeding. I used 1ml syringes and just hand expressed and collected drops directly into the syringe. A pump would have been a bit much for my poor nipples at that stage I think. It was very very little to start with but built up, I think I could express 5-10 mls at a time by the end - it really doesn’t need to be much at a time because the babies’ tummies are tiny. The syringes need proper labelling with date and your hospital details etc in case they need to be stored in a hospital fridge.

Ask your midwife first - I was given instructions and syringes by the diabetes team and then I ordered more syringes online. There are some step by step instructions here which you might find useful (scroll down past all the GDM stuff to the bottom) www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/colostrum-harvesting/

Thank you all! Some good tips here, I was concerned that it wasnt very much coming out but now im not so much as it seems its normal.

I wont start properly until 37ish weeks