colostrum !! « Back to Group Discussions

[Bena]

It's here!! I noticed tiny droplets of it as I stepped in the shower this evening.
Anyone else?

[scruffy too]

HOLY HECK - just got a droplet of something .  Maybe that's why my nipples have been SO sore this week?

[LightForest]

I've been getting droplets of colostrum for a couple of months now when I squeeze (as if to hand express breastmilk). Haven't had any spontaneous eruptions, though. I DO vividly remember one terribly embarrassing colostrum leak during one of my birth classes when i was pregnant with DD. I was so thankful I had a little cardigan in my bag - I put it on as soon as I noticed the spot on my shirt, even though we were in the middle of a heat wave!

[cocoanib]

Only if I squeeze really hard will I get a couple small droplets.

It was the same with DD. Pretty dry until she was born.

[beautifulnm]

I'm leaking already. Annoying. Already using the nipple-y protector things to a) keep from smelling like breast milk all day, b) keep my nipples from falling off :\ They were getting super irritated, even trying to wear a less irritating bra.

DH also thought it was funny and told DS "mommy is open for business." So there's ds, "pleeease i have some fresh milk mama?" Really? REALLY, MAN?! 

[sunshinelove]

I'm still breastfeeding DD at night, so i doubt i'll be leaking any colostrum. I guess the colostrum and breastmilk will be mixed together when this baby is first born since my breasts are used to making milk for DD? I am not sure, kind of confusing...

[writermama12]

sunshine, I've read that it will transition to only colostrum for a few days once babe is born. Your DD will get the good stuff for a few days and may have some really funky diapers! 

I am not leaking but have had yellow-ish, waxy crust in the crevices of my nipples for a few months (think it is colostrum). DS2 stopped nursing altogether when I had to leave for 10 days for my Dad's funeral and will not even consider nursing anymore (he had been dry nursing 3-5 times a day for months before that). I am pretty sad about it, even though is was painful, and I hope he might be interested again once baby is here and milk a plenty. 

[MissMuffet]

Sunshinelove, are you sure you are still producing milk this far along in pregnancy? That is amazing.

My DS nurses once every couple of days now and I can hear him swallowing so there must be something there. Could it be colostrum? And enough so that he is able to swallow??

[buko]

OMG!  I am SO SO SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS!  LOL. 

Yesterday, I went for a free "intro to breastfeeding" class at the local BF support center.  It was 95% review for me (I've read a couple of books), but I'm really glad I went so that I have a "touchpoint," YK?  And they were great.  One thing the main LC/founder encouraged us to do was to go home and try hand-expressing colostrum.  Just a couple drops, so we could see it, etc., and sort of "lube things up."  Well, I was skeptical, because I've been totally dry AFAIK, and, you know... 

I kinda mashed around ineptly (I mean, I was TRYING to do it the way you're "supposed" to, but I was kinda flailing).  AND OMG!  My boobs MAKE MILK!  I mean, it was like half a drop and then I quit, because I don't "need" it, but HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!  LOL..  I "knew" it would happen, but hey, in 34 years, my boobs have never made milk AFAIK, so it was pretty freaking cool to me. 
 

[cabbitdancer]

I was able to express a while ago... can't remember how early now, just remember that it was omg early, but only from one breast. Looks like the second one is catching up to the first, now. \o/

[chocolatechip]

Woohoo! I started getting colostrum a couple months ago (THAT was surprising). I've only had twice since then when I looked down and discovered I'd leaked a little during the day, and being in Seattle I always have a warmer shirt to go over a thinner one.  I often now intentionally express a few drops if I notice my nipples tingling or if I'm in the shower or whatever, because I *think* making it happen a little on a frequent basis maybe helps prevent unintentional leaks? I have no idea if it actually works that way. I get leaks really frequently at night, though, and have given up trying to wear spotless pajama tops, because then I'd have to wear a new one every night, and not only do I not have enough that fit me to get me through the week, I'm not willing to do that much laundry. 

buko, it *is* pretty exciting to have it happen the first time, isn't it!!?!?! Also, glad you're around! We've been thinking about you over on the chat threads, wondering if all was well!

[SlimP]

Ha Buko! Yes it is the coolest thing when your boobs make milk.

My DS weaned when I was 3-4 months pregnant but I've had a little colostrum here and there since, really brightly-coloured sometimes! I massage my breasts and squeeze a little milk out when bathing just to keep the pipes flowing! Although its been less than 6 months break, I'm excited about breastfeeding this new little bubs, as it was one of the most rewarding aspects of motherhood for me.
Edited by SlimP - 2/8/13 at 11:51am

[buko]

Ah, sorry I am so off-and-on!  I had a business trip recently and have been all over the place.  It looks like (at 37 weeks today!) I will only have one more day when I'm really out-and-about a lot.  From now on, I should be able to work at home, from the computer, sitting on my butt all day.  Ahhhhh...

[chocolatechip]

Hey, no worries! I was also gone for a week, and it's pretty much impossible to be gone and doing what needs to be done and *still* do extra things like stay up to date on MDC. Just glad that you're back and things are good. 

[sunshinelove]

Originally Posted by writermama12 

sunshine, I've read that it will transition to only colostrum for a few days once babe is born. Your DD will get the good stuff for a few days and may have some really funky diapers! 

How interesting, thank you for sharing! Thankfully, DD is potty-trained so no funky diapers

Originally Posted by MissMuffet 

Sunshinelove, are you sure you are still producing milk this far along in pregnancy? That is amazing.

My DS nurses once every couple of days now and I can hear him swallowing so there must be something there. Could it be colostrum? And enough so that he is able to swallow??

Hmm, not sure about your DS but my toddler is still getting some milk every night (theres definitely a letdown reflex and lots of swallowing). I read that some women dry up during pregnancy and others dont, not sure why, but it must have something to do with physiology.

[writermama12]

I just wanted officially announce that I squeezed out a drop on each nipple last night in the bath. Hurray!! I am soooo excited. I never tried to squeeze any out with other pregnancies so I feel really *ready* now for this baby to arrive. 

[storygirlcindy]

I have stealth colostrum. Maybe ninja colostrum. ;) Around 29 weeks, one day I was lying on my side in my PJs (with no bra, just an undershirt), and got up and realized there was a silver-dollar sized wet spot on one side of my shirt. Only... I couldn't for the LIFE of me figure out where it came from! I wasn't able to squeeze out any drops and my nipples looked totally dry, LOL. But since then it's happened 2-3 times (usually if I'm lying on my side), though never that much. It never happens when I'm in the shower or try to express it or any of the times people say it might... but every now and then I just have a little wet patch!

[scruffy too]

I haven't been able to get out a drop since I posted 4 days ago.  But my nipples still get REALLY sore at least once a day. 

[writermama12]

OMG, I just bought a double electric breast pump used on a facebook yard sale for $25. I wanted to try it out and learn how to use it and guess what I got??? My first bit of delicious colostrum!! I am going to mix it in with DS2's water sippy today to give him a nice dose of liquid gold. SO SO excited now.

[scruffy too]

Congrats Writer!!  That's super exciting!