Can I express whilst pg?

[parkj83]

With DS, I had dreadful problems bf as he was permanently hungry. When we were in the hospital, I was offered donated milk to top him up, so I could sleep (he'd demand to be fed pretty much every half hour in the early stages, and I was pooped!)

But when we were home, I fed him so much, we both ended up with thrush, I nearly lost one of my nipples, and ended up pretty much forced to bottle feed, as I was far too sore to feed him myself. By the time everything had healed, my milk had dried up.

To avoid this possibly happening this time round, can I express once my colostrum is coming through, and freeze it in preparation/just in case?! When pg with DS, I had loads of it, and had to change milk pads every couple of hours! (Especially in the bath! ) thinking about it now, it seemed quite a waste iykwim

PS I'm 17+4 and no sign of any colostrum yet, so it's more for future ref.

bump for the afternoon shift x

Hi,

I'm sure freezing your milk is fine, but i dont know if you know but some time expressing milk in pregnancy can bring on labour so reag this thread and couldnt not pop that in incase you wasnt aware

x

probably a bad idea before 38 weeks due to risk of bringing on labour.

Also, your milk won't actually come in until three days after the baby's born - it's not milk until then it's colostrum - and there's only so much colostrum a newborn needs! Plus your new one may have different demands and you might find it easier to keep up.

thank you ladies x

Hi Octavia, yes, I am aware that my milk won't be here till LO is It's just I'd rather be prepared, and not need it, than not do it, and be stressed about it all again.

I suppose I'm mildly paranoid that I'll have issues bf-ing again. I nick-named DS Dyson, as there was no loss of suction...! I am hoping this one won't be as demanding - DS is even now permanently hungry, and he's nearly 7! lol

To be honest, I don't think I'd specifically express - more like catch it when it's gushing, like when in the bath etc!

Have a look at this about expressing colostrum in the last couple of weeks of pregnancy. I've known friends who've done it if they were expecting smaller babies or possible low blood sugar issues - having a bit of stored colostrum meant no pressure to give formula.