Due February 2024 Thread 6!!🤰🩷💙

[AllAboardTootToot]

Last thread just got full so starting a new one for us to keep chatting :)

@Clueless13 if you're wanting to breastfeed have you had any advice re antenatal colostrum harvesting?

Buy the starter packs, approx £7 for 6 little bottles and come with teats. All brands do them.

I want to breastfeed too and I know it's really hard at first so I'm not going to have any formula in the house because I know I'll try to take the easy route on a difficult night. I have already had colostrum come out on both sides so I think I'll start collecting some next week when I'm closer to 37w.

God yes, pain has gone up a notch for me .
Stomach is so hard and I just ache.

last day at work wooooohoo (moved it forward a week and so happy I did!)

I can start colostrum harvesting tonight (green light from GD midwife) so interested to see how that goes.

Sorry time difference btw it's morning where I am - 4.45am because I cannot sleep haha

Morning @Mangotango39 my belly is super hard too and a bit achy around where I think my ovaries are. Sleep can be so difficult at this stage but the babies will be here so soon and we'll be able to lie in whatever position we want, the heartburn will fade and even though we'll have to wake up a lot, the quality of sleep will be much better, I'm sure. 😍

Do update on how the colostrum harvesting goes, how many weeks are you now?

I also took colostrum instead of formula. I figured if breastfeeding didn't work out I had the colostrum and my partner could always nip out and get some formula in an absolute pinch.

Breastfeeding isn't necessarily hard or painful though I was worried it might be. Myself and some of my friends had no problems whatsoever - no need for nipple balm or shields, no pain etc.

38 weeks tomorrow - I've tried to squeeze out a few drops of colostrum today but nothing :(
Felt quite gutted, will keep trying. Hope this doesn't affect my BF journey.

@msp2023 I heard that for a lot of people it doesn't start until the placenta is out, don't be discouraged! I heard that heat can help a lot and feeling around for where your ducts are can be helpful too. I also think you need to put the pressure on further back than the actual nipple which I only learned recently. Also I watched a video of someone expressing and it reminded me of being a kid and pushing yogurt up from the bottom of a frube rather than just squeezing, if that makes sense.

@Cheetocat ahhh thank you :)
Hahaha a frube made me giggle. I'll keep trying! I don't even have syringes yet though as my midwife said they're waiting on a delivery still 🙃

@Shrillwaffle n'awww thanks hun, you're right! I suppose I have done this 4x before! makes me wonder am I the only one on this thread who's about to have my fifth? 🤔 🤣 sounds crazy to say!
@Sunshineclouds11 yes it is! I suppose the hormones doesn't help either, still haven't packed my hospital bag but will do tonight, such short & sweet words but you're right and just got to keep telling myself that too! 💪

Bit of a change of conversation here as some of you are talking about bottle feeding & breastfeeding etc but ladies, booked myself in for my first ever "intimate" wax this saturday as I just can't see what I'm doing & don't want to be putting myself in funny positions to try get a good view so I can shave - bump is just too big & awkward now if I'm honest! Has anyone had a wax done before? I'm nervous about it tbf as apart from a midwife delivering my babies + my partner like nobody else has seen my fantush 🤣 I've always shaven too as I prefer no hair & last shave was like 2/3weeks ago (was a struggle) im not exactly a wooly mammoth either but I just want to be hair free for when I give birth. Sorry for tmi ladies 🤦‍♀️

@Cheetocat yes sleep quality is just rubbish - I have read newborn tired and pregnancy tired are two very seperate things haha!

I am 36 weeks (with baby coming 38+3)
I do leak a lot so hoping I might get something.

I am going to try shower then putting one of those microwave hot bags on my breast which I heard can help (not sure their name?? They have the beans in them??)

@MummyTo4BoysXXXX I had mine done a few days ago! Though I used to regularly get waxed until a year or two ago. I don't have thaaaat much hair anymore as I have had laser so it wasn't super painful this time round.
I will say it may be more sensitive down there due to pregnancy so I would just say be prepared for some pain 🫣. Numbing creams are also available from pharmacy if you want to go down that route!

@msp2023 thanks for your reply 😊 and yes the lady has explained that to me and advised me to take some paracetamol half an hour before my appointment with it being my first ever wax, I do hope it helps as I wouldnt want to like kick her in face or something as a reaction to when she pulls wax strip off 🤣 going for a full hollywood aswell so it's definatly going to be up close & personal isn't it 😬😂 any tips on what to wear for ease of access? Will a long top just do with some leggings that I can easily just take off but leave my long top on?

@msp2023 I defo recommend watching some videos and build up frequency. You can also order food grade/sterile 1ml syringes from Amazon rather than waiting on midwife? I've found need to hold the squeeze at the level of ducts for longer than think as need to wait for the colostrum to make it's way to the nipple.

@Mangotango39 I've also found most success after a shower, aiming very hot water on the boobs for at least 5 minutes with some massage thrown in, then getting comfy in bed and giving a go seems to work well.

I'm expecting this baby to have a tongue tie as my daughter had one and so did her dad and both his siblings. I think I have a mild posterior one as well and there's a genetic link so pretty likely this baby will too. So got some contact details lined up for private tongue tie assessment also as happened too late with my daughter and breastfeeding didn't work out. Ended up she had a milk allergy as well so I've gone milk free too. Just want to have enough colostrum to support feeding in case of tongue tie and then a wait for it cut and so nipples not destroyed again, and if not needed then will be a bonus! Got nipple shields in as a precaution as well.
Think it's worth reading around breastfeeding issues ahead of time if you're keen to do so, in case journey not so smooth, I was completely unaware of tongue tie, etc. when had my daughter.

@MummyTo4BoysXXXX
I think your very brave going for a Hollywood this pregnant!! Outside of bump I wax, but I actually stop in pregnancy as my pain thresholds change and I can’t stand it. Take painkillers in advance. I’m not modest, so tend to not mind the naked aspect. Be aware there’s times she’ll need to you told your own skin in certain ways so made need to position your hands (or model a gesture for you to copy). Leggings and a long top would work (with just the top on for the wax).

@MummyTo4BoysXXXX hahaha they do try and distract you so I would delve fully into the conversation so she can rip it off without you realising. Easier said than done.

Full bottoms will have to come off either way so whatever's comfortable for you!
In summer it's so easy with a dress etc but way too cold for that now!

I always remind myself that they've done this thousands of times so it's nothing new for them. Plus you might not ever have to see them again so oh well 🤣

I do wish I was brave enough for a wax but I just can't have myself on all 4 whilst she looks at my bum hole 😂😂

Ironically, I don't mind who's there when I give birth 😅

@Ihatewinding thank you! Will keep attempting.
I have an appt on Sunday so hoping I can get some syringes then. So petty but I just feel like I should get them from midwife than have to order them myself - never use the NHS and then when I do, the minimum is barely provided🙃 taxpayer rant lol.

Re colostrum harvesting…just in case people panic. I’ve fed both my older ones, and never successfully managed to collect colostrum antenatally. When my elder DD was NICU, post EMCS, a midwife on the ward was amazing in helping me get some postnatally BUT in retrospect - I found the focus on quantity at the time made my feeding experience more difficult. I wish I had known then that it’s normal for you not to produce milk for a few days. Formula fed babies drink way more formula, than EBF babies need.

Kelly mom is a good resource for breastfeeding tips. As well as local NCT drop in coffee mornings (usually free) and la leche league (online and in some areas in the UK). Our local children’s centers also have free breastfeeding support (with trained consultants). NOT saying it’s the only way. Just that I found being able to access support so helpful for me.

I’ll admit. I feed. And post about 6 weeks I love it cos I’m not very organized and not having to worry about sterilizing etc. is a relief, BUT, I do find until my nipples harden it hurts like hell (even with no tongue tie; and latch checked). So I think it’s luck and different bodies and babies sometimes too!

On boob talk; I can't believe how dark nipples actually go when pregnant and nearer the end 😄

@CheeseAndCrackersx omg same, mine look way different, it was a bit of a shock when I first noticed! I've also got some freckles on them which I find quite sweet for some reason. 🤣

@msp2023 - I’m struggling too - most I’ve got is some tiny beads not enough to harvest. Starting Mat leave tomorrow though so going to keep trying. There’s a breastfeeding group local to me too that welcomes pregnant ladies to come along so going to try going along I think. Maybe there’s something similar close to you?

@CheeseAndCrackersx same - I’ve gone from no colour areolae to dark brown. Can’t believe how huge they got either unfortunately for my upper back 😬.

@Callmemummynotmaaa well it was either that or a Brazilian which the difference being is to leave a little bit of "landing strip" of pubes which is not my style, it's all off for me 😂 well if I can handle labour & give birth with only relying on gas & air surely I can handle a wax? 🤔 Well that was my theory of it anyways! Ffs I'm actually even more nervous now like wtf 😂

@msp2023 haha that's exactly my way of thinking about it, it's obvs her profession isn't it so it's not like she hasnt seen it all before think it's because she mentioned to me about being pregnant and due to hormones it's probably "swollen" down their which made me feel nervous about the prospect of someone even seeing my fantush, nevermind fact she's going to be ripping my hairs off it 😂 because since about 20weeks I haven't been able to see it for myself without standing naked infront of a mirror ! 😂

@Sunshineclouds11 you been serious? Thought I'd be laying on my back!? deffos won't be on all 4s with my arse in her face that is for sure! Sooner cancel appointment & try have 1 last shave! 😂