Need to express colostrum but nothing coming out

[peasoup8]

I’ve got gestational diabetes among other complications, and will need to be induced before my due date. I’ve been advised to hand express some colostrum into syringes for when the baby arrives.

I’ve had a go this morning but nothing whatsoever is coming out - and to be honest the whole thing kinda grosses me out slightly. Is it meant to hurt your boobs and what do I do if I just can’t get anything out? Could I just wait until the baby arrives and breastfeed them then?

Have you watched videos on how to do it? Lots available online - slightly different techniques than how I imagined.

Don’t stress about it. I don’t really get this trend. Surely if you hope to breastfeed they will just get the colostrum straight out of your breast rather than colostrum which has hung around in a syringe.

You're going to be in for quite a shock if squeezing your nipples currently grosses you out

Have a look on La Leche League website for tips, good luck

You're going to be in for quite a shock if squeezing your nipples currently grosses you out

It’s not the nipple squeezing that grosses me out - it’s the yellow stuff coming out of them! I can’t believe it’s even physically possible for me to be honest. Does anyone else feel this way or is it just me?

Don’t stress about it. I don’t really get this trend. Surely if you hope to breastfeed they will just get the colostrum straight out of your breast rather than colostrum which has hung around in a syringe.

I know, I don’t really get it either

@peasoup8 I'm 100% with you on the weirdness of leaky boobs, it is super odd. I found it really strange and kinda uncomfortable emotionally, but as soon as DD was born and i was breastfeeding it just felt really normal.

I didn't do it until after my twins were born. The midwives were SO helpful in hospital helping me do this but used syringes as you really don't produce a lot initially. Don't stress about it too much.

I got induced for my two when I had gestational diabetes ( 2 single pregnancies, not twins) and when they came out they were a bit sleepy and not great at latching. I haven’t had any non gestational pregnancies though- so maybe they were no different to other babies! Anyway, I never got any thing out pre birth. When they were born, at 38 weeks each, I expressed colostrum then and syringed it in to their mouths. Perked them up and they passed the heel prick sugar levels test thing they do and let us go home. Much easier to get colostrum post birth in my experience. Once you’ve been through birth you might find you’re a bit less freaked out by weird stuff coming out of you! I had plenty of colostrum for them and breast fed both for 6 month- so they got the latch thing eventually! Just ask the midwife for a sterile syringe When you get on the ward and it’ll be fine.

If yellow stuff is coming out, that’s colostrum. Very very little will come out. Post a premature birth I was asked to express colostrum and I got 0.25ml out and the NICU nurse was delighted!

This is will help xx

To start with you may only get a few drops, just save what you get and it will increase each time. It might be easier after a bataph or shower, and try to be as relaxed as possible.

Getting the colostrum out is quite hard work for a newborn, so if baby is born with low blood sugar, it might not have the energy to feed effectively. Even just a few ml can give baby the little boost it might need to take it's first proper feed.

I'm 38+1 and have been trying since monday, I got my first tiniest bit out yesterday and I mean it was hardly anything.
Perseverance is key! The more you try the more it will start. If you do it after a warm bath/shower or flannel over nipples and massage boobs that helps.
I had to try many different techniques but not everyone's the same. Mine hurts a little, just feels bruised like. If you cant get any dont worry too much, if my supply doesnt increase then it's pointless taking into hospital.
Good luck!

@peasoup8 the yellow stuff is the colostrum

It can take a few days to get colostrum if your baby is being delivered early (or if you’re trying to express ahead of an early delivery). I expect that’s why they want you to start expressing now - so the colostrum is ready when the baby arrives. You will only get tiny amounts initially, but like I say, it can take a few days to get anything at all.

If you’re getting yellow liquid now, that IS colostrum.

Hey! I know this is an old post, but if you see this, how did it go?

I have GD and trying to collect colostrum prior to my csection next week at 37 weeks. Im getting literally 2 drops out and it's been a few days of trying 😭

The drops are so small I can't even get them in the syringe 😫

Did you find anything that helped?