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Original poster

Midwife wants me to save my colostrum but I don't have any?

38 replies

erised24 · 01/07/2020 23:50

At my 36 week appointment, I told her I was wanting to BF so she gave me a little pack with syringes so I can self express colostrum to use after birth... but I don't have any coloustrum? I also thought colostrum and milk doesn't really come in til after baby is born? She told me to do it twice a day from 36 weeks.

OP posts:

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Dalmore30 · 02/07/2020 00:19

Colostrum comes in early for some people. Have you been trying to hand express? There are some really useful videos on YouTube. You might only get a teaspoon worth at a time but all worth saving.

Time2change2 · 02/07/2020 00:28

Some people are able to squeeze tiny drops out before the baby is born- lots of people including me can’t! You can try after a walk showe and see if you get any drops (it will literally be drops) but if not, do not stress!! When baby is born and latched one correctly, you may never see any / much colostrum at all as baby will only need such a small amount.
To
Be honest, unless there is a problem with baby and he / she can’t bf well at the start, I don’t think it’s a good idea to give colostrum regularly from a syringe- baby needs to suck, suck and suck some more to get the milk supply going. If full of pre expressed colostrum that will interfere with how much he wants to suck?

Thisismytimetoshine · 02/07/2020 00:32

I've never heard of this being recommended in advance??

DramaAlpaca · 02/07/2020 00:34

I've never heard of it either. There's no need, baby will get all the colostrum he or she needs in the first few days after birth.

bestbrowsintown · 02/07/2020 06:48

I leaked colostrum for several weeks before giving birth, didn't collect any of it. There was still plenty when the baby was born.

Wingingthis · 02/07/2020 06:54

Really confused as to why she’s suggested this. Have a 2 year old & a 2 month old myself that I’ve breastfed and I’ve never done this or been advised to do so. Xx

Pluckedpencil · 02/07/2020 06:55

Is there some reason you wouldn't be able to breast feed at the birth? I can only see that as a reason to try and collect colostrum. Frankly, you may not have milk for a little bit even when baby is born, most first time mums only get milk through the baby's very specific sucking action. I have never leaked milk and never yielded much from expressing, but my kids were both exclusively breastfed for six months. Either this is out of context or weird.

Cantchooseaname · 02/07/2020 06:58

Do you have gestational diabetes? It’s often recommended in case the baby’s has low blood sugar at birth, it can supplement breast feeding and help stabilise things.
But don’t stress if you can’t - getting frozen to hospital and stored was a total faff!

Twickerhun · 02/07/2020 06:58

I did this for baby two. I struggled to feed baby one and hand to hand express colostrum then milk it was sooo stressful. so second time round I harvested colostrum before the birth so I had some emergency supplies to help feed my baby. Never again would I want to have a new born and not be able to feed them. But in normal circumstances this is not needed at all.

ClaraLane · 02/07/2020 06:59

I’m planning to hand-express colostrum before birth and freeze it because last time I had to express it in hospital as we were having difficulties latching.

The reason midwives recommend it is because if you already have colostrum frozen then you don’t need to hand express in hospital with the same urgency and you also may be able to avoid giving formula if baby’s blood sugars are low.

FrugiFan · 02/07/2020 07:02

My midwife also suggested this with my second pregnancy - low risk, no complications, first child fully breastfed. I thought perhaps the advice had changed, maybe it depends on the trust.

OP not everyone is able to Express colostrum so dont worry if you can't. The colostrum harvested would be used in case you arent able to feed straight after the birth e.g. if you're in surgery. You're unlikely to need it so dont stress about it if you can't Express.

Jent13c · 02/07/2020 08:51

I've never had a drop of milk until I gave birth and breastfed my first until 17m, exclusively expressing for my second who is 5 months and have enough milk for twins. If it works great but don't stress yourself out if it's not coming out yet, some folk just don't leak as much. You may find yourself hand expressing quite a lot (usually to get rid of clogs so can be handy to practice what works for you.

Frazzlerock · 02/07/2020 09:17

Have you a reason to collect colostrum? Have you had trouble BFing before?

I'm 19 weeks and am already in contact with a LLL BF consultant because I have hypoplasia so literally cannot produce enough milk as I don't have enough of the milk producing breast tissue. Both of my DS failed to thrive on my breast milk.
This time around I am determined to make it work so to help things she suggested collecting colostrum in syringes and freezing from 36 weeks. She said that not everyone can do it and just the action of stimulating the breast can help with milk production once baby is here. So don't worry about not getting any.

userabcname · 02/07/2020 09:19

I have breastfed 2 children in the last 3 years and have never done this. It's not necessary.

flissity · 02/07/2020 09:25

This is a ‘New’ thing midwives are suggesting. I just had my 3rd baby and was suggested I do this at around 37wks +.

It was never a thing with my other children! Born 8/11 years ago.

It’s apparently just in case for some reason you can’t feed the baby.
Such as emergency CS I guess?

I did it, purely as nipple stimulation as I was going really overdue!

I honestly would not worry if you aren’t getting an colostrum out. It will come when the baby does.

Superscientist · 02/07/2020 09:32

It's something that is increasingly being suggested but I think it falls in the "nice to try" rather than the "you must do" category. If you feel up to trying give it ago but don't fret if you can't or don't want to.

It's fairly new, our breastfeeding consultant with the nct had only heard about it being more widely suggested on a recent woman's hour episode.

Also you don't need much a newborn feeds about 5ml at a time.

nattiee · 02/07/2020 09:41

I tired at the beginning of the year to hand express my colostrum. I think I did it after 38 weeks but I'd have sat there for an hour before getting enough to fill that little syringe.

I wouldn't stress about it before hand, it's quite a new thing. I didn't take any in as it was way to street trying to express it

dramalamma · 02/07/2020 09:47

This is usually only recommended in cases of gestational diabetes or other predictable difficulties to prevent having to give the baby formula - unless you have a specific concern there is no need and some people just can't express before or after birth! Stimulation of the nipples isn't going to do any harm (unless you really go at it and cause preterm labour!) but it's also not necessary so please don't stress about it.

Mangomumma · 02/07/2020 10:27

I was advised to do this with my first pregnancy because I had gestational diabetes & DD had sugar level problems when she was born. However, I really struggled to get anything out.

Second time around I didn't have GD but I still expressed colostrum & found it much easier. Even if you can manage it, don't expect a lot to come out. There's lots of thing you can do to help, warm shower & massage etc.

If there's no medical reason then I wouldn't worry. The colostrum I expressed for DD2 got completely forgotten about as she breastfed easily. After a few days of being back at home I realised I'd left it in hospital freezer!

BabyG123 · 02/07/2020 10:38

You tube videos how to get it out. Persistence and be prepared it take time!

Only small tiny amounts at first but it gets more. Best thing I did. When my baby was 2m and poorly and couldn't have anything I defrosted some colostrum I harvested and it was like magic. Amazed me!

BabyG123 · 02/07/2020 10:39

Look up harvesting colostrum. I was advised too and so glad I did!

BabyG123 · 02/07/2020 10:43

Just read others comments:

It is a thing these days. Trying to encourage more breastfeeding than bottle 'breast is best' message.

To have back up as they used to give formula if you struggled but now they don't provide it so this is your other choice.

EveleftEden · 02/07/2020 10:51

Oh great something else to make mothers feel shit about.

It’s a ‘new thing’ so it will pass. Mothers have breastfed for thousands of years successfully with out having to add the fad on. It’s totally unnecessary so don’t worry about it.

BeMorePacific · 02/07/2020 10:55

I wished I’d done it 1st time around (but hadn’t heard about it!), I’ll definitely try this time around.
I had a large blood loss, that impacted my milk supply. My son fed constantly, so I assumed he was ok. But later found out he was dehydrated.
I wouldn’t worry if you aren’t able to hand express, but if you can it’s a nice bonus.
Good luck with the birth and feeding journey. Remember it gets easier xxx

Thisismytimetoshine · 02/07/2020 10:57

How long has this been a "thing"?!

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