Colostrum collecting

Hey all! I'm now 37 weeks so thought I'd give some collecting a go and was actually shocked it worked! It's not a lot and was wondering if I could keep collecting over the next couple of days in the same syringe? I've had to stop because I was getting some Braxton hicks and they were uncomfortable and didn't want to waste a syringe with 0.2ml 😅 Any help appreciated! Xox

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My midwife said you can keep it in the fridge and add to it for 24-48 hours before freezing x

@Katie oh amazing thank you! I'll keep adding tomorrow and then end of day I'll freeze it ☺️

Gunna sound like a silly question but why do we collect it I thought it turns into milk once baby is born do you give it to baby once they come out if so what benefits is there why do we not just wait for the milk is there an actual reason why behind it x

Colostrum is so useful even after milk has come in. My midwife said to give it to toddler too in her cereal lol 😂 it’s jam packed full of antibodies ❤️ also fabulous if little one is needing a poop 😂

@Tilly it contains much higher rate of immunoglobulins and growth supporting nutrients so it's worth keeping

@Tilly it's just really concentrated so you don't need much but it has antibodies and hormones for growth and to kick start their immune system. It also helps them pass their first poop which can reduce the risk of jaundice

Also no such thing as a silly question 😋☺️ I had no clue what colostrum even was before I was pregnant haha

Thanks for the info guys I'll definitely try to collect when I can then also at what week can you start to collect it also how do you collect it I don't have any breast pumps (I was actually thinking of not getting any pumps to save money) also how long dose it keep in the freezer dose it have a use by date kinda thing for it x

You hand express into a syringe ❤️ lots of YouTube videos about it It lasts 6 months in freezer :)

The leaflet I have advised from week 37 and you don't need a pump for this one it's just massage and gentle squeezing into a small syringe (I was given those at my last scan(35/36 weeks). Can keep in the freezer for 6 months I used this website to find out what to do: https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/breastfeeding-resources/hand-expression-video/ Hopefully this helps ☺️ xx

Hand expression for colostrum and NO pumping until at least 6 weeks after baby is born because pumping too early can cause massive over supply and mastitis. Baby will up your supply when needed :) xx

Omg !

Thank you guys info is really helpful x

No pumping please momma!!!! You can go into early labor😩 hand express and free immediately ❤️

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