Colostrum then formula feed?

[BeautyAndTheBump1]

Is it 'possible' to breastfeed colostrum and then move on to formula feeding? How long does colostrum come through for?

I had breast implants a few years ago and have nerve damage and my nipples have been like razors ever since, I get anxiety even thinking about attempting to breastfeed - but I really want to try and grit my teeth through the agony and at least breast feed colostrum to give him the 'good stuff'

I know it's going to realllllly hurt, my nipples are a 'no-touch' area and even things like clothes wafting past them kill me.

First time mum & clueless! Be kind 😬

As far as I'm aware, and happy to be corrected if I'm wrong, colostrum is generally made and present in breast ducts from about 34/36 weeks of pregnancy, maybe earlier. Once baby is born, they will feed
On this colostrum until milk comes in around day 3 or 4.
Have you spoken to your midwife about collecting some in syringes around your due date time? *important not to do it to early as it can bring on early labour!
It's essentially hand expressing and from what you're describing re sensitivity, may be best for you, as you can go as slowly/gently as things will allow to still produce it, whereas bubs may have an extra strong sucking reflex.

Good luck! :)

Following as this is my plan too , feed colostrum while in hospital / couple of days after then bottle feed..

Also following for same reasons. Want to give colostrum, but bottle/formula will work out better for our family.

Following for the same reasons.

Are you taking any formula to the hospital?

Following

I know of people that have syringe exoressed their colostrum before giving birth as they wanted their child to get the "liquid gold" but for whatever reason chose not to breastfeed. I don't know much about it but it might be worth looking into to.

*expressed

I've done this for my children. I breastfed for the first 2 to 3 days, mostly whilst I was in hospital, then switched to formula feeding. I've never been able to collect anything before giving birth though. I found the midwives to be very good in hospital at helping me fill a syringe or 2.

I combination fed both my dc for 4 months. Have you thought about getting an electric pump. You can sometimes rent them from the hospital. I found it much more comfortable as didnt have to feed for as long and it was easier to release the nipple. It can be hard getting them to latch at the beggining. Hand pumping and syringe is another option but it takes so long.

I did this last time and plan to do it again this time. Ensuring the baby gets colostrum is important to me but after the first few days I'll move into formula.

I didn't harvest any colostrum last time in the latter weeks as I wasn't aware I could, but now I'm more aware of it I may try this too.

Yes of course you can. You can stop breastfeeding anytime you like, during the colostrum stage or after.
If for whatever reason baby has latching issues and you don't plan to bf long term (and therefore deal with the latching issue) then the midwives in hospital will help you syringe out the colostrum and feed baby from the syringe instead, then you can move onto bottles when you're ready. I would still take formula to hospital with you though just in case.

Thanks everyone! I will certainly look into the syringe extraction when the time comes and go from there! 🤞

This is basically what I did although it wasn't the plan. DS was breastfed for a week, my milk took 5 days to come in. Then we switched to formula. Worked well for us.