Anyone had any luck with colostrum harvesting?

[Sara1988]

I'm 38 weeks. Been trying to colostrum harvest for the past week, 10 mins a day, once a day, after bath. Nothing yet.

Has anyone had any success with it? Any tips? I know someone just don't manage too but wondered whether to give up or persevere.

I’ve been trying it. Only getting a few drops. I seem to have more success in evening than the morning, I think it’s because I’m more hydrated. I’m not stressing over it, it doesn’t work for lots of people and there’s no correlation with breastfeeding success.

I only tried this after birth (hard but successful)

I would be nervous about trying at 38 weeks in case it brings on labour, unless you’ve a medical reason why this has been advised?

No, but EBF successfully twice. Don't stress about it

I'm 36/40 and local advise here is to start at 36/40. I've been trying for a few days and got nothing so far. Not even a glisten.

Why would you even want to?

It's advised to try after 37 weeks.

OP, I tried and got zilch. Nada.
But I've breastfed very successfully so don't let it worry you about your ability to produce milk post-birth.

I wouldn’t worry about it. It wasn’t a thing when I had my first. It was suggested when I had my second, so I dutifully harvest, stored, took it off to the hospital with me. I don’t even know where it ended up, probably in the bin.

Most babies won’t need it. If yours does, it’ll will be much easier after birth.

I have never heard of it. I breastfed and just breastfed them fresh colostrum during the first hours after birth. I suppose it’s a good backup if you end up unable to breastfeed right after birth, if the hospital has a way of storing, heating and feeding it to your newborn.

I'm not too worried about not getting any. I know some women never do. Just wondered if I was doing it wrong?

@Sara1988 i never got any, but i was doing it wrong. I wasn't pulling the nipple back before squeezing, i can't explain it properly here but as soon as baby was born and the nurse did it i knew where i went wrong. Try watching a youtube video to help!

I managed to get some. I had my husband collect it and I sort of squeezed all the way from the top breast tissue with a firm pressure and two hands, thumbs on top and fingers underneath, working my way all the way down the whole of the breast toward the nipple and some would come out each time. YouTube will have some good demo videos. Basically use the whole breast!

Watch a video. I found once I pressed back first - and then squeezed it worked! Took me a few goes.
Even if you don’t get any out just the act of practising it is great incase you need to do it later. Our hospital recommends trying.

I had no luck! Didn't affect my breastfeeding. For many women colostrum only kicks in once the placenta detaches.

I only got slight glistening or a couple of small drops and never managed to get more than 0.1 in to a syringe. Post birth there was a breastfeeding class on the ward and I realised I had been squeezing too near to the nipple. So I would second watching a video rather than just reading what to do.
I have been able to breastfeed so another voice saying if you don’t manage to get any yet it’s not an indicator as to whether you will be able to feed ok after birth.

I did with both of mine but I was leaking after a bath/shower for a while before birth. I would use a haakaa type pump and just leave it on while I got dressed (well sat on the bed feeling hot and bothered while trying to put my socks on). I struggled to breast feed both of mine initially so it was a life saver.

It's a very recent thing that seems to cause plenty of unnecessary stress. If it's not working I wouldn't bother and I wouldn't take anything from it to suggest you'll have any difficulty breastfeeding if that's what you want to do.

@Pigriver hadn't thought if trying haakaa.

Thanks all. I think one issue might be the size of my boobs. My nipples are huge rn too!

It's advised from 37 weeks to store for baby incase it is needed after birth.

What would the problem be with bringing on labour at 38/40?

I never tried to.

I've exclusively breastfed for 6 years.

I wouldn't worry.

In my experience it's recommended to everyone after 36 weeks.

Look at some videos on YouTube, that helped me. I've found it helpful to become more used to the feeling of expressing and breastfeeding. And surely a bonus if it does induce labour, if you're at term.

I never got more than 0.1ml. the biggest advantage for me was learning the technique. Once my daughter arrived I then found it quite easy to hand express for comfort when my milk came in.

@Sara1988 don't worry about size etc, public health nurse told me all women can breastfeed even women with inverted nipples can!

I'm a bit confused by how many pregnant want to induce labour to be honest. I want the baby to come when they're ready.

I never Managed it - but got some hand expressed after birth (with the help of lovely hcas) and I’m still breastfeeding 11 months later.
i wouldn’t bother trying next time