Colostrum harvesting - is it a really big deal?

[Baker0104]

I'm 36+3 and wondering how important colostrum harvesting is? I gave it a try today and nothing happened and my boobs just ache now 😔

I was a formula fed baby and was always healthy with a good immune system. I'm not going to stress myself out over this. So much pressure on mothers.

@BuffySummersReportingforSanity when you were doing it before birth, how much were you getting on day 1, day 2 etc? Would doing it for the last week be enough?

I did this as I was terrified she would struggle to latch or I'd end up unable to BF.
Started at 37 weeks and built a collection of about 20ml in individual 1/2 ml syringes. Brought some with me to hospital and I did use it all.

DD struggled to latch as I had completely flat nipples , wouldn't do it for any other babies in future unless absolutely necessary as now my nipples are fine after BF 10 months so far

Also worth noting that the C shape thing didn't work for me OP! I had to find my own positioning and after that it was much easier

I never bothered. Didn’t have any issues with feeding after either EMCS or ELCS.

I've successfully breastfed three kids and have never done it.

[quote sarah13xx]@BuffySummersReportingforSanity when you were doing it before birth, how much were you getting on day 1, day 2 etc? Would doing it for the last week be enough?[/quote]
Only about 1ml or so to start with. Up to 2.5ml after a few days I think. I started just before 37 weeks and as it turned out I only did it for 3 days or so before I got induced. I would probably have carried on for a week or ten days otherwise or as long as I could be bothered .

I would have been fine if I'd not done it, but I knew how and it was helpful to me to think I could have a little stash in the freezer if needed. If you're struggling or stressing about it, probably not worth pushing it. And don't make yourself sore!

My first is 4 years old and noone even mentioned it before she was born! This time round, I've already been asked if I will be harvesting colostrum.
To be honest, I had no issues feeding her, so not sure if I need to bother... I think if I notice myself leaking, I'll try and save it, but I'm not going to make a special effort.
If you are keen to, the best time to do so if after a nice warm shower/put warm flannels on your boobs... that always got me leaking after baby arrived!!! ;-)

@BuffySummersReportingforSanity thanks, will try it 38 weeks til my section then. The only thing that puts me off is the odd mention of it maybe causing contractions and putting people into labour early. At least if that happened at 38 weeks it wouldn’t be a big deal

I'm trying to harvest as I have type 1 diabetes so its recommended. My NHS leaflet says to try for 5 minutes a day but I got zero out. Anyone know why it can't be longer than a few minutes? Feel like I'll never get any at this rate

There's a (fairly weak) link between nipple stimulation and onset of labour, so the NHS is a bit wary of advising people to stimulate their nipples for ages before 37 weeks for obvious reasons. In practice it's unlikely to do much unless you were ready to go into labour anyway, and plenty of women breastfeed through pregnancy with no link found to premature birth.

I wouldn't go at it for ages especially if you aren't finding it productive, but I don't think you strictly have to limit yourself to 5 mins. Try after a bath or shower when you're relaxed and just have a play around, is my advice. I found what really worked for me from practice hand expressing while feeding my previous baby.

I did it and caused myself a lot of stress and hard work and discomfort and never used the syringes in the end and am still bf my 16 month old. I had an emergency section. I definitely won't be bothering again!!

So I spoke to my midwife today and asked her if it's worth it etc....she said to keep trying and if anything it'll prime my nipples for feeding? I'm gonna try again and see how it goes...get the warm compresses out first and see what happens 🤷‍♀️

@Baker0104

So I spoke to my midwife today and asked her if it's worth it etc....she said to keep trying and if anything it'll prime my nipples for feeding? I'm gonna try again and see how it goes...get the warm compresses out first and see what happens 🤷‍♀️

I'm sorry but I really don't agree with your midwife!! Harvesting colostrum doesn't "prime your nipples" it's nothing at all like the action or process of breastfeeding and despite harvesting colostrum with my first baby my nipples were still knackered after a couple of days of bf (although they quickly recovered).

I remember sitting for hours in front of the tv with my boobs out making my boobs so sore trying to do it and it really 100% wasn't worth the stress and pain. It seems like the advice has totally changed too because when I was pregnant last time the bf advisor said it was only recommended in certain circumstances like premature birth.

I'm glad I did it. DD couldn't latch at birth and having expressed beforehand I not only had some supply in freezer to take the pressure off but I responded really well to the pump and had a lot of colostrum. The midwives were really pleased I'd done it. Pregnant with number 2 and will be doing the same in case we have the same experience! There's no need to spend hours doing it, but I just did 10 mins or so a day/every other day from 38 weeks and by the time she was born, I was getting a few ml out and had a good few syringes in the freezer which we used up when we got home.

@pigglepot
It's really recommended by my trust so I spose she's just going with that line. The posters they have around the maternity unit do say it's more for women who have higher risk pregnancies such as gestational diabetes, low birth weight, twins etc but they do recommend it for everyone as a back up. All the ladies in my 'due in july' group have been advised the same x

I have three children and never did it. Didn’t even try. All were BF until a year old.

[quote Baker0104]@pigglepot
It's really recommended by my trust so I spose she's just going with that line. The posters they have around the maternity unit do say it's more for women who have higher risk pregnancies such as gestational diabetes, low birth weight, twins etc but they do recommend it for everyone as a back up. All the ladies in my 'due in july' group have been advised the same x[/quote]
Fair enough. It's totally personal choice but all I can say is that for me personally it was uncomfortable and stressful and I never used the syringes. When you bf you'll also realise the comment she made about preparing the nipples is a long way from being true unfortunately! 😞 I suppose I was lucky that I found bf straightforward although I put that down to the "baby led breastfeeding" book I read whilst pregnant. I'm pregnant again and won't be harvesting any colostrum this time.

I just don't want you to put lots of pressure on yourself to do it because you feel you "should" be or will in some way be letting your baby or yourself down by not.