Colostrum
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I was advised that for second pregnancy you do it from 37 weeks as it may initiate labour symptoms but for first it’s 36 weeks x
I think different NHS trusts recommend different timings. From looking online most seem to say from 36 weeks but I’m under the care of OUH (Oxford) and they say from 37
I was told to start from 37 weeks as it can sometimes bring on early labour. Been trying to do it for a week now and still haven’t got anything and I get induced on Friday 😭 Boobs are constantly leaking but as soon as I try to collect colostrum I get nothing
@Llinos try looking at an ultrasound picture and imagining your baby’s face. With my first I could get lots out but only if I was imagining the baby! Because it stimulates the release of oxytocin.
@Ruby I was wondering about pumping in the next week. Are you using an electric pump to do this? I have the elvie pumps and just wondering if it’s worth it!
@Merisha Yeah I’ve been using the Medela pump. I just started doing 5 minutes on each side a couple of times a day and then upped it to 10 minutes 3 times a day as I got used to it. Just make sure you use some nipple cream though because i didn’t at first and it felt like someone was constantly twisting and pinching them 😂
Not doing it 🤷🏻♀️ never managed to in previous pregnancies so not stressing myself out with it this time
@Ruby definitely sounds worth it and thanks for the tip! Is it still colostrum only at this point until baby is out? Would be strange if it turned into milk before baby comes 😂
I’m not 36 weeks till this Friday but I started yesterday and everything has been fine. X
It's 36-37 weeks that's why. If you've not had any risks around early labour you're probably fine to start at 36. If not wait until 37. I started at 36
@Merisha yeah your milk won't come in until up to 5 days after baby is born (mine took 6). It's triggered by the placenta being removed. Colostrum is there to sustain them until then.
Colostrum harvasting recomended at 37 weeks, its also important for boosting your milk supply progress (not just for colostrum storage..) Actually colostrum is changing to milk in a graduated dynamics, and its important for milk supply to avoid delayes and you can help the dynamic with breast stimulation, frequent breastfeeding and hand expression. You can read my blog for more info https://mylee.life/blogs/mylee-blog/tagged/advice
I was hand expressing at 36 weeks and then using my pump from 37 weeks which is what my midwife recommended as my pregnancy has been low risk so I suppose if you’ve had an ‘easy’ pregnancy, you should be fine but you could always call your midwife unit and ask x