Colostrum Harvesting

I’m 39 weeks today and exact same for me. I’ve watched a number of NHS videos and tried baths etc. but nothing at all…

Tips as I struggled too. Have a hot shower first. For a few minutes use your knuckle (…like a cat kneading) to massage from the outside of your boob towards your nipple gently. Then push with just your thumb the skin towards the nipple …above and at the side (like you’re imagining the milk being warmed up underneath the skin and pushed from the glands). Hopefully after doing this for a while small drops start to appear. Even if they don’t start to squeeze with your thumb and index finger above and below the nipple. Don’t be too hard with the squeezing motion, seems to work better if you’re squeezing gently and closer rather than the ‘two fingers back’ from the nipple as I was advised. Hope some of this might help . X

Thanks @Natalie I have tried all those things but will try a gentler squeeze. Kate, reassured you are in the same boat but sorry that you are experiencing the same. It’s quite demoralising but I’ll persevere!

Sometimes you just can’t before birth and it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to afterwards. I was super discouraged with my first only getting like 0.1ml after 15 mins and I hurt my boobs. Try different times of day. As another person said, run your knuckles from under your armpit to top of boob to help move colostrum. Don’t push too hard as you will get sore and it’ll just stress you out more and if you can’t express, remember it’s not an indicator of anything.

I’m 37 + 3 & I tried for the first time yesterday, I got a nice hot bath, lit a candle and tried to relax. I only tried the 1 boob and managed to get 0.2ml. I do think you’ve got to be in the right mind set, I did really struggle and nearly gave up - going to have another go tonight and see how I get on x