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Colostrum for those nursing while pregnant

post #1 of 7
Thread Starter 

Good News!  My colostrum came in today after several months of my 3 year old continuing to nurse without any Mama Milk.  He was so excited.  Anyone else who's still nursing have colostrum arrive already?  Will this colostrum stay until the baby's 3-4 days old when it starts changing to regular milk?

 

Carolyn

post #2 of 7

Yes, we are in the same situation.  I think my colostrum came in a few weeks ago.  My daughter will be 3 in August and she was also super excited.  I had similar questions about how it would work for changing to regular milk so I asked my friend who is a LLL leader.  I will just copy what she said so you have the information too. 


Lactogenesis I, the first stage of lactation, when colostrum is made, begins midway through pregnancy. The breasts are already primed to begin secreting this magical fluid. During the first half of pregnancy, estrogen prompts the ductal system to proliferate and grow. Progesterone is responsible for the increase in size of the lobes, lobules, and alveoli. The breasts become larger and veins may be seen through the skin’s surface. As these changes take place, the areola becomes larger and darker; the nipples become more erect. The Montgomery glands under the areola also enlarge. The breasts then begin their secretory phase, filling the alveoli with colostrum. The breasts become more distended and heavier, preparing for breastfeeding. Lactogenesis I continues until the mother’s milk comes in (Riordon 2005).

After the delivery of the placenta, Lactogenesis II begins. The sudden drop in progesterone triggers this stage of lactation. The new mother will start to produce mature milk within three to five days. The milk continues to be a mix of colostrum and mature milk for up to two weeks postpartum, through the transitional milk stage.
 

post #3 of 7

I was just wondering about this! my 2yr old is nursing just once a day (at night to sleep) now and so far no golden milk :(

 

With his pregnancy my colostrum came in when I was 6months pregnant so I was starting to get nervous that nothing was happening yet :(  Guess I'll keep waiting......
 

post #4 of 7

I'm not nursing anymore, but I've been able to hand express colostrum for a few weeks now (I'm 28.5 weeks). And I always have a dried bit of it on my nipples. :-)

 

Cindy

post #5 of 7

I'm the same as Cindy. Always some dried colostrum, and I can hand express a bit. I'm just about 28 weeks. 

post #6 of 7

I'm starting to see some dried colostrum show up so I assume my almost-2-year-old is getting a little bit when she nurses at night. But she hasn't remarked on it. I think she's been "dry nursing" lately just for comfort... not seeing much swallowing, really.

post #7 of 7

mine hasn't come in.. I still have milk although a lot less then I used to not that my 2.5 year old minds. With my last pregnancy it didn't switch over until the new baby was born and then my milk came in the next day. shrug.gif

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