Colostrum collecting

following also because i’m interested xx

I'd ask your midwife. I think it's not recommended before about 36 weeks, possibly later and they should be able to advise on how too

Yeah i’ve just watched some videos, you should start doing it around 36/37 weeks xx

About 36 weeks. I started today. Definitely watch the videos online on how to do it. They really help. I got 1ml in about 10/15 mins last night but if I remember from last pregnancy the more days you do it, the easier it flows each time x

I follow a lady on TikTok who goes by "Theecomidwife Angie" she shared a video recently on how to hand express and collect colostrum, she's very good. Wait until you're about 36 weeks pregnant, make sure you're feeling relaxed so have a warm bath and pamper yourself a bit, have a clean small cup or tub and some 1ml syringes. I got the ones with caps on which came in packs of 50-100 on Amazon xx

I know I was told to start doing it from 37 weeks, when did everyone's boobs look like they were starting to do something? I'm nearly 35 weeks and my boobs don't look or feel like they are doing anything

@Holley mine never changed until my milk came 3 days after birth. However, I was still able to get a small amount of colostrum. There was never enough to drip into a cup. I had to carefully suck each precious drop up with a syringe, straight from my nipple. It was painstaking but worth it, as my husband could feed baby on day 2. My nipples were bleeding and completely annihilated after the first night of cluster feeding 😬 I'll definitely be doing it again but starting a little earlier this time (I started at 37w but I'll start at 36w) x

@Anna might sound stupid but I’m assuming that you got colostrum through once baby was born or was it just milk?

@Anna i need to do it as I have GD and it can help with low blood sugar issues with baby after birth but I was expecting maybe so evidence in my bra or a little discharge or something by now but there's literally nothing. I'm nearly 35 weeks and the topic of induction has started to be floated so I just want to make sure I have time to harvest some

Same as you @Holley, absolutely zero sign that anything is happening! My midwife told me not to stress about it (easier said than done…) and that a lot of women only get colostrum when baby is born.

No earlier than 36 weeks, ask your midwife for some syringes at this appt

@Holley I had to squeeze it out. I never had any leaking or discharge. See how you get on. Good luck! X

@Jaymie-lee yes, no issues. My milk supply came in on day 3. From day 1-3, it was just colostrum. Once it comes in, your milk is very yellow, colostrum milk. It turns whiter over a few weeks and increases in volume x

@Anna can you feed your baby on just colostrum or did you also use formula??

@Jaymie-lee the majority of babies are perfectly fine when only having colostrum

@Jaymie-lee just colostrum is adequate. Their tummies are tiny when they're first born. They feed very frequently to get what they need and to encourage your milk supply x