Colostrum how much harvested

[J1290]

Anyone planning on taking colostrum with them to hosp? Maybe inducing at 37 weeks wondered if u needed a set amount to take with u?

I set out to have 10 syringes.. didn’t even end up being able to fill one 🙈

Haven't had colostrum pre birth either time. Both were 37 week inductions. Successfully breastfed for 1yr+ (second baby just turned 1).

Pre-harvested colostrum is nice to have, but isn't necessary. A lot of women don't start producing it in quantity until after the baby is born, so don't be disheartened if you try, but don't get much.

I asked the midwife how many syringes to take into the hospital and she recommended 5 xx

I didn't manage to get any with DS and he latched straight away. BF for 22 months. Don't stress too much. If you manage to get some, great, but if not, it's really not the end of the world.

I managed to get 4. I only ordered 5 and acvidently dropped one. Im ftm and found it quite a long process. 30 mins to fill half a syringe and did it once a day for a few days. I found making a C shape around the aerola and pumping for a bit the squeezing worked. Also only really worked after I'd had a long warm bath as body had warmed up. I wish I did it more often throughout the day or started earlier to have more syringes but am content. I ordered syringes from ebay.

I didn't fill any syringes with DC1, but knowing in advance how to hand express was really helpful for early breastfeeding. I was glad I wasn't trying to learn how to do it after a long labour. This time round I've got over 40ml which is definitely more than necessary but I started at 38 weeks and baby is overdue. You can also ask for syringes while you're being induced. It can be a long process and lots of waiting around.

Take a few syringes with you if you can, but don't worry if you don't or can't. I planned to take some with me but he came unexpectedly early so didn't express any colostrum until after he was born and it was fine, I managed to express plenty of colostrum whilst in the hospital.

I took 7 or 8 but we were on a 6 hour discharge so only used 1. The hospital kept them in the freezer for me so none were wasted and I was able to take them home. It was so useful to have them as in the very first days.

I didnt manage to get any pre birth and in fact im pretty sure it brought on labour prior to the induction starting! 😅

Once DD was born though, i was able to harvest colostrum for several days to deliver to her in the NICU (she had sepsis) so just did the harvesting in the hospital and the MW put in the freezer for me. I literally got less than 3ml at a time so i really wouldn't worry too much if you dont too much. We still went on to breast / combi feed for 9months until i went back to work.

I'd say I collected about 20ml and took 5ml to hospital with me. We used it all as DD was sleepy and having trouble latching. I think I started at 37 weeks.

I had to do this before having my 2nd DS. I managed to get about 6 syringes but only a very small amount in each one. The midwives were really happy with that! (I was worried it wasn’t even close to enough) and it was given to my DS while in NICU.