Colostrum

Anyone have any tips on hand expressing colostrum? I’m a ftm and have not leaked through pregnancy at all but I’m hoping to collect at least a little to have in case we need it for the first few days or just to have for sickness. So far the last couple days it has not gone well. I shower first and then try for a few minutes on each side but get nothing. Anyone else have this experience and find ways to get past it?

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I didn't leak or collect colostrum either of my pregnancies and I successfully breastfed both of my daughters for 15.5 months each. Leaking (or not) during pregnancy is not an indication of postpartum supply so don't stress about it if it doesn't happen.
Karrie Locher has some great tips on Instagram about collecting colostrum though

I’ve tried once at 37 weeks 4 days. I just got two drops of clear water on one side and nothing on the other side. I heard clear fluid is still a good thing, just need to keep trying. I also used breast gel pads heated to warm the area, massage it well first before you start expressing. Keep going for a few more days hopefully you’ll get something soon.

Also, when baby gets here don't feel bad if you can't keep up in the beginning, if you need a supplement while your milk comes in, it's okay!

I barely leaked before birth and I can't keep up, it was hard for me to accept but it was exhausting cuz I would have her going back and forth for 1-2 hours and she was still fussy.

I had a lot of mom guilt about it this morning and the nurse talked me through that it's okay to supplement cuz body is trying to figure everything out too

I'm hoping that I'll be able to keep up better once my milk comes in

I just collected my first syringe! I’ve leaked maybe 2 drops during pregnancy, but was still successful hand expressing. I took a warm shower and kind of massaged my breasts while in there. Then I c shaped my hand a little outside my nipple and pushed in towards my chest bone. Don’t pinch! I kind of just cupped my hand around and pushed in and massaged for 3-5 minutes each side. I was able to fill 5ml within those 10 minutes! I also drank plenty of water before and after. Not sure if that matters but I want to assume it does?

I have been leaking since 26 weeks. I just tried hand expressing at 37 weeks and only got a few drops from one breast and none from the other. So I went ahead and tried pumping instead and was very successful with both breasts! My doctor cleared me for pumping though, so make sure to check with your doctor first.

Hand pump

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