Colostrum harvesting

I’ve been trying for three weeks and haven’t got anything - super frustrating - just finding hope in a lot of people saying even though they couldn’t get any it didn’t mean they couldn’t bf once baby arrived 🫤

The “C” shape they talk about didn’t work for me. Massage and then gently pinch the nipple was the most effective way for me to get the colostrum out. Almost pinching to pop a pimple! All very gentle, gradually increasing pressure until golden liquid appears on the nipple. Hope that helps. I also tried laying down in a bath rope after a warm bath.

Also, I got 0.3ml first time. Put that syringe in the fridge and then an hour or so later tried again and eventually filled the 1ml syringe. Slow paced but it worked

I’m so sorry you frustrated. I’m in the same boat and I have now given myself a couple of days break before trying again. I literally just had a few drops and I started at 36 weeks. I am now 37.5 weeks.

It’s so frustrating isn’t it! Same here after starting a couple of days ago at 38 weeks. Collected 0.3ml, 1ml and 0.4ml so far but literally like blood from a stone it’s quite demotivating. Trying to persevere though

Honestly it does take alot of patience and effort. Any bit of milk is good. Keep going and before you know it you body will recognize and ensure drink enough water.

For me, it’s been about the setting I’m expressing in. So I express in bed after a shower, super warm and cosy, tell my husband not to disturb me, and make sure I’m watching something super oxytocin inducing- for me it’s the start of Taylor’s Eras Tour as it takes me right back to the concert in the summer. I’ve tried watching other stuff, even other parts of the concert, but the first 45 mins specifically produce the best results. With my first I was in hospital from 36 weeks and got way less- funnily enough, trying to express on a hospital ward because a curtain wasn’t super oxytocin-inducing! 😂Please also remember that just because you’re having issues with expressing, doesn’t mean you won’t go on to successfully breastfeed and even having a good technique to hand express, even if it’s only 1/3 syringe at a time, will help when baby is here with just being able to express a little into your nipple to tempt them to feed. Good luck x

I got nothing harvested with my first baby. Breastfed him till 18 months when my supply literally dried up being 5 months pregnant with this one. Don't worry!

What did it for me at the start was going for longer too. Relaxed and warm, post shower and a good hour including massage. I only got about 4mls total my entire harvesting journey but after birth when I had to express some for the midwife to give her, no issues at all!

Right here with you at 38+ 3! So frustrating.

Hey hun, if u get frustrated the milk won't come out. I know this from pumping when I had my last baby. Very annoying. You could try a soft tooth brush in the shower gently then try slowly hand expression after shower. I was told not to start til 37 weeks. So starting this Saturday. Good luck.

My baby was born 12 days ago and he was 3 weeks early so I hadn’t got round to harvesting yet Even after he was born I couldn’t rly get any out !!! It took me forever to get like 0.2ml out But the midwives at the hosp helped me get it out and they’re soooo much more talented at it. They got a whole 1ml out in like 5 minutes lol So I wouldn’t worry. If u end up needing colostrum from a syringe , they can help u easily get it out in hospital for your baby