Producing colostrum?

[Bathmatt]

Hello

I’m 33weeks with my second. I breastfed my first up until I was about 12 weeks (so stopped around the new year).

I just tried to see if I could express a bit of colostrum to see if I was producing any and I couldn’t get anything out! I know it can bring on contractions so I won’t try again until 37 weeks but does the fact I can’t express anything now mean I’m not producing any? Am I perhaps not doing it right? I tried in the shower as I thought it might be easier.

I know to express colostrum with my first and he was taken to NICU straight after birth so I want to be more prepared this time!

Ability to express colostrum in pregnancy doesn't mean anything about milk supply after birth, it's the removal of the placenta that triggers milk production.

33 weeks is too early to try. Try again at 37 weeks.

I’ve been trying to express this pregnancy and am struggling to get anything out. I’m not worried though as I’ve breastfed my other two children so I know my body can do it. When my DS was born I borrowed the hospital pump and got a lot out the day after I gave birth.

I read you need to be really relaxed (which might be my problem ) and to try applying heat pads. Apparently it can take a few days to start producing so I’m going to keep trying.

I'm nearly 35 weeks and I've found the past couple of weeks I'm leaking quite a lot after a warm bath. Maybe try that, but don't stress about it- like others have said, it has no reflection on your ability to produce milk. Xx

Thank you all, much appreciated! I’ll wait a bit and see how it goes!