Expressing colostrum during pregnancy?

[inkywinky]

I am 28 wks pregnant and am already leaking quite a bit of colostrum that I have to use breast pads. It is sad to see this being wasted. I am told that in some cultures and countries, women actually collect this colostrum for use after the birth, especially if there are b/feeding difficulties. Anyway, has anyone done it? Any tips for bringing milk on prior to the birth safely and collecting this to build a small stash? (I know about the nipple simulation leading to labor part).

[Twinklefae]

I had colostrum last time from quite early on, but I can't imagine any way to collect without risking early labour.

[MaerynPearl]

yeah, if you did not spend the pregnancy breastfeeding a toddler, the stimulation of the nipples required to express the colostrum could send you into premature labor.

Its really REALLY not being wasted though, keep in mind your body ALWAYS creates more! Its not a limited supply thing!

[elaine_benice]

Several reasons to express colostrum

A friend had pointed me to this link http://www.nhsayrshireandarran.com/u...12/bfcolos.pdf

[gemasita]

How about these? You don't express - you just wear them like breast pads and the collect the leaked milk (or colostrom):

http://www.mymilkies.com/

[karmab]

Originally Posted by gemasita

How about these? You don't express - you just wear them like breast pads and the collect the leaked milk (or colostrom):

http://www.mymilkies.com/

wow! look at those. do you have THAT much colostrum though? i had what felt like so much leakage in my first pregnancy, and early on, but im not sure it really would have collected in one of those, enough to save. that would be good for when one side leaks when the baby's on the other side though.

it reminds me though, when i was 24 wks, with my twins (first pg) i really wasnt even showing much. i was at the mall with a loose red tshirt on, and i dont think i really looked preg. everyone was looking at me, and i was thinking, "you know what, i must just be GLOWING and all these folks can see my pregnancy glow exuding around me." nope, they could all see my colostrum exuding on my boobies, cuz i got home and looked in a mirror and had these half dollar sized dark red wet circles on my nipples! ug!

gemista- nice to meet you, my name is jamie too.

[orange_hills]

been there, done that!

During my pregnancy, I was advised to collect colostrum as the baby was falling behind in weight to date. The LC showed me how to do this using my hands and a collecting syringe. At first I could manage just a few drops each time at 35 wks, so had to do this several times a day.

Then for my babyshower at 36wk, my mom had gifted me a breastpump and I tried this out to learn how to use it and also to see how it felt. The pump on a light setting was able to draw out more of the colostrum. Also, if you do it frequently, you will make more.

So, if you have a pump you can try - but dont use for a long time and if you feel tightening - stop! However, I never felt any tightening or contractions.

[inkywinky]

@elaine - thanks for the information, so it seems like there is a procedure! Good to read this.

@gemasita - thanks will checkout the mymilkies. Though the problem I see is that I dont know when I will leak and dont know if this will be comfortable to wear all day.

@karmab - Exactly same thing happened with me. We were visiting my friend's house and my friend pulled me aside and pointed out two damp patches on my top!! At that time, she was nursing her bebe and felt that caused me to leak!! LOL.. i dont think that was the reason anyways.

@orange - thanks for sharing your own personal experience. This is more like what i wanted to know from personal experience of anybody who has tried. I dont have a pump now but is in my babyshower registry.

Anybody else tried using a pump or manual expression?

[cinderella08]

I wouldn't pump before you are term.

I'm pumping now 4-5x's a day for 15m on each side. I'm 39 weeks though and am facing a necessary medical induction on Wednesday so I'm trying to help my body along. I express about 1/8oz of colostrum each pumping session, I save it all for 3 days in the fridge (been doing this since I was 37.5 weeks) and every 3 days I empty it in a breastmilk storage bag and freeze it. I get KILLER, I mean KILLER cramps and contractions while I pump, so I'd hesitate in doing it until you are term.