Harvesting colostrum- how much?

[Redkite11]

I’ve begun trying to harvest colostrum as this is recommended for women with gestational diabetes.
Today was the first day I tried and I got a small amount out from my right breast. How much of the syringe actually fills up? Also, how do you pick up the colostrum with the syringe? Should I try and express as much as possible and then scoop it up? Or should I express and collect a little at a time?

Hi, can you tell me what advice you got in terms of gestational diabetes and colostrum? I have just been diagnosed.

You could try expressing on to a spoon and collecting it from there. You will only produce tiny amounts.

If you both have Facebook, there are two groups on line about gestational diabetes where you can ask questions and find lots of useful info.

Try reading on gestationaldiabetes.co.uk
There are tips about harvesting colostrum.
It's not advised to start earlier than 37 weeks as it can trigger labour. Really rarely you might be advised to start at 36 weeks. Ask your diabetes team thou as they can provide you with the kit to start.

A few drops to start with it's brilliant. Lots of ladies suggest a warm bath and massage, then watching something like one born every minute and gently try to get some. Never get discouraged as for some it takes a week to get a better quantity, or some never manage too much. At least you try and every amount it's great.

I have GD too.

I got about half a 1ml syringe in total first day and up to 1ml on a few subsequent days. Sucked it up with the syringe directly.

Literally tiny drops at a time, and then lots of fiddling with the syringe to avoid air bubbles.

Found it weirdly satisfying!

Probably could have got more of I’d carried on but I’m now in hospital and the syringes are in my freezer waiting!

Hi Delbelleber, here’s a link which mentions the benefits of it for those with GD. www.gestationaldiabetes.co.uk/colostrum-harvesting/