Colostrum harvesting

[Millylou3]

So I’m 36 weeks and been told to try and harvest colostrum - WHY IS IT SO HARD 😢😢 I’m getting a few teeny drops but no we’re near enough to put in a syringe - I’ve watched loads of YouTube videos and feel like I’m doing it right but just frustrating not seeing much - is this normal? Literally been trying for 5 days and I can see it but it’s like 1 drop - any help or advice?

Thanks for the tips! i've just managed to get a full 1ml syringe which is great! I don't think i was squeezing enough and the rolling action deff helps!

Wow @DiabeticFirstBaby that’s amazing well done 👏 and @omg35 I agree on the leaflet I got it seemed like they were saying a little squeeze and it would gush out which is just not the case 😂 mine are sensitive today so I’m leaving it until later to have another go

It took me a good hour and a half, good job i'm on mat leave now! 😂
Keep going @Millylou3 will be worth it when our little ones arrive as a back up incase of low blood sugar!

I just had a zoom call with a midwife (the NHS antenatal class), and she hadn’t heard anything about colostrum harvesting when I asked her about it. She said that maybe I was getting confused with something else?! I didn’t push it, but have an ELCS booked and wondered when or if I should start doing it.

@Grognonne omg really? Wow! my midwife has said the nhs are now pretty into doing it so that’s strange? Must be different in certain hospitals / I was asked about it at around 16 weeks and then got by bits sent out to me at around 33 weeks ready for starting at 36 weeks

@Grognonne if you do a bit of googling and look at some of the information leaflets from different trusts, one of the reasons to harvest is if having an elective C section. I would ask again.

Thanks, just assumed she would know about it and give me some advice! I’ve only seen a midwife twice as consultant led (next one is 3 days before the c-section!). My concerns were about it inducing labour as I don’t want that to happen. I have an NCT class this weekend all about breastfeeding so will ask then, as I’m now 35 weeks.

Check whether the hospital actually has the facilities to store it when you get there. I know someone who spent ages expressing colostrum, then it couldn't be used as they didn't have any facilities for storage on postnatal!

I had Gestational diabetes and didn't get any colostrum much at all. My baby had low blood sugar after the birth - and ended up having a tiny amount of formula on first day as couldn't get any colostrum out of me. It's no biggie, the formula won't harm them and solves the problem - I was also very glad she'd had it as my milk was very delayed because of the birth and my diabetes and she ended up with severe dehydration.