Tips on how to collect colostrum

[CurlyNo2]

Hi all

I’m 37+3 with baby number 2 and I’ll be having a c-section around 39 weeks.

My midwife has given me some info on colostrum harvesting which I’m trying to initiate at the minute (it wasn’t a thing when my son was born so all new to me!)

I have had a go at trying to stimulate my breasts to release the colostrum but haven’t been able to get a thing, my guess is that I’m doing it wrong.

Does anybody have any tips on how to get it going? Any helpful videos, hacks etc? Anything really..

Thanks very much!

Manual breast pump.

I don't think colostrum harvesting before birth was a thing when I had my first baby but I was advised to do it in the hospital as she was having a hard time breastfeeding. I think I got a few drops by hand.
This time I've been doing it since 37 weeks with a pump and I usually get 4/5 syringes in one session. Much easier.

Placemarking as I’m hoping to do this next week onwards and have absolutely NO idea where to begin!

Warm flannel first.
massage from really wide coming in.
make a c shape while applying pressure
and apply the pressure from wide not just on the nipple.
then with your other hand suck up the colostrum

it’s an art form! And it is possible to get better at! Promise!!
good luck

(

Relax as much as possible, don't stress about it. It took me about 20min to get 0.2ml first time I tried!

Try after a warm bath or shower.

Thank you! I’ll report back tomorrow.

Hi I started collecting this weekend
I make sure the room is warm and I’m warm (no cold hands) and think of it like bf… supply and demand and imagine baby in my mind to produce more.

I had GD and was advised to collect colostrum but just could not do it! I tried every day from 36 weeks and didn't get a single drop.
Everything was fine, my baby latched on and had a lovely first feed in recovery 🥰