Colostrum Harvesting Amounts

[x3emm]

Hi! Im 37weeks pregnant with my first and have started harvesting colostrum, not sure if its relevent but my boobs have been leaking since approx 16/20 weeks along.

Basically im worried that im producing too much! First time i had 2x1ml syringes, then 7x1ml syringes then 3x1ml the next day i had 18x1ml syringes! I bought a pack of 30 thinking this would last untill im due but used them in 2 days of harvesting.

Is this normal? Most things ive read are saying people get like 1/2x1ml syringes or teaspoon amounts! Im concerned that if i keep going and producing alot that its not going to be as good when baby actually gets here or if i keep going its going to become breast milk and then i wont have the right stuff for when baby is born!

Any advice or reassurance is greately appreciated! Thanks

Are you expressing it for a reason? You won't run out of it, milk production is kickstarted by removal of the placenta and starts a few days later, colostrum will remain until then.

Not for a particular reason, wanted to do it just incase i cant breastfeed! As its my first i have no idea what to do/expect so would just like to be prepared for if i can't feed.

My midwife told me to harvest colostrum and I am rubbish at it so I have jealously you've produced so much!

But yeah think you will just keep on producing until your milk comes in but at the same time you likely don't need LOADS.

I was told it's good to have in freezer for when they get colds etc.

I had the same with both pregnancies. Leaking from 17 weeks and loads of colostrum. You won't need more than a couple of syringes of colostrum so might as well just freeze what you've got and stop now.

FWIW I had an easy time breastfeeding both of mine and no worries about not having enough milk supply. One piece of advice I have is don't start expressing/ pumping until you have breastfeeding established at 6+ weeks and even then go easy. I could pump really easily so thought it would be sensible to build up a stash in the freezer, i could pump 150ml in a few minutes. But it gave me oversupply issues and if I missed a pumping or feeding session I got very uncomfortable and leaked everywhere. So I wouldn't advise that!

Feeding from the breast would be best if a baby has a cold ad your body will make antibodies based on what's in their saliva.

Once you start breastfeeding you don't produce colostrum anymore so my midwife suggested it's good to have a store as it's specifically the colostrum that's good to have for colds etc.

You produce colostrum for the first few days after birth, it's incorrect to say you don't produce it once you start breastfeeding. Colostrum is good for colds etc but feeding directly at the breast would produce antibodies for the specific bug the baby has at that time. It would also be preferable to feed at the breast when a baby was sick rather than with a stash to maintain supply, unless the baby wouldn't latch on etc while off form with illness.

Thank you! Glad to know im not the only one who's had this! I will keep that in mind!

Hello

I know this is a bit of an old thread but I was just wondering how you all got on with colostrum harvesting?

I am a midwife and I am trying to design a research study about colostrum harvesting. I am looking for a few volunteers to simply ask about their experiences and to ask what areas surrounding colostrum harvesting would be good to investigate in my research study.
If any of you would be willing to have a chat with me it would be much appreciated! PM me if interested x