Harvesting colostrum

[newmumtobe1998]

36 weeks today and midwife said to start harvesting from 36 weeks. Just attempted but no drops come out at all, can see inside the nipple is white and looks slightly glossed but can’t get any liquid to come out?

Anyone else have this issue? Do I keep trying everyday or is it just not ready yet?

I never bothered. It’s really not necessary.

I got nothing with my first (other than a slight glisten but nothing I could syringe!). After she was born it was there in abundance.

I got over 100 syringes before my second was born but I was using a Mandela hand pump as I just found it easier tbh. Speak to your midwife before using a pump as advice differs!

A warm bath/shower and then breast massage really helped me when I was pregnant. The syringes came in handy as it took a few days for my milk to fully come through.

I wouldn't get too hung up.on it tbh. It came easily with my first and I got loads. So thought it would be the same with second but I really struggled! 36 weeks feels early too, maybe give it a week or two and try again if you want to.

I got nothing pre-birth with first child. It was only a few hours after birth

I never bothered, I wouldn't get hung up over it, seems like a lot of faff. I'm expecting my 4th child and they all fed immediately despite 1 not having a straightforward birth and not breathing right away. Unless you are very unwell after the birth, I can't think of a reason you'd need to, even if you were apart from your baby and they were poorly you'd just pump once they are born. My friend had twins a few weeks earlier than planned a couple of weeks ago and they just provided a hospital grade pump for her to harvest it post birth. Also how on earth would you store it? If you have it in the freezer and arrive to give birth it'd still be frozen. I've never arrived in labour and had them say "would you like to put your colostrum in the fridge?".

I found it really hard to express, I'd have a nice warm shower, get comfy and have another go in a week or 2. Watch youtube videos showing the proper technique to express as it's not easy when you haven't done it before. I only got a few syringes but I was glad to have them for the days before my milk came in. It was nice to be able to give DS something as he seemed starving! I'm sure that's the point where many will give some formula so obviously depends your feelings on that but if you want to breastfeed you need your baby to feed from you so that your breasts know how much milk to make.

Don't push it. I made my breasts red raw trying to hand express. Your baby will not suffer from lack of colostrum at birth. Neither of mine got any for 24 hours.