Harvesting colostrum - any tips please!

[Svensk10]

Hi all,

I'm 38 weeks and been harvesting colostrum for the last week. I've only ever managed to get maximum 0.5ml in one go, but seen that other ladies get way more! Any hints and tips would be greatly appreciated!! I'm already either having a shower or using a warm compress but just seems to be slow going for me :(

I think some people can just get more than others. I’ve never managed to express more than a few drops in either pregnancy. But have an abundance of milk and have expressed milk for a year easily with my first born.
Generally long slow squeezes are meant to be more effective than short sharp squeezes, but my body has never been willing!

0.5ml is amazing! Every drop will help your baby. I’ve found it easier every time I’ve done it (first baby, 4th time expressing colostrum) and can get 1ml in about half an hour now compared to very little in 2 hours the first time. Practice, patience and be pleased with yourself - anything is great!

I think 0.5ml is fine - some people will just find it easier to get more, but as an average, that’s great.

Harvesting colostrum before birth is relatively new advice.

It's only really there if for any reason you can't latch baby on within the first few hours after birth.

If you plan to breastfeed, it's worth knowing that what you express is no indication of supply. I EBF my daughter but could hardly express a drop. I just didn't take to pumps.

For now though 0.5ml is great. They really don't take much at first anyway.

0.5ml is a great start OP! I wouldn't worry about trying to get much larger volumes, every tiny syringe is still liquid gold for your baby! Make sure you label it up with dates and freeze it so it's still good when the time comes.

My midwife has said non alcoholic beer helps with harvesting colostrum

You really don’t need to do this. I expressed some after giving birth when it took me 3mins to get 1ml. I only needed it twice to get Baby going a bit. Didn’t do it with DC1. I am from a different country and none of my friends have ever heard of this and everyone there breastfeeds. Seems like a new English trend.