Antenatal expression of colostrum

[MrsWatson]

Hi Everyone,

I'm expecting #2 in July, and after failing to bf my DD1, I am ready everything I can about bf to prepare.

With DD1, my midwife got my handpumping and collecting expressed colostrum in a syringe, and I've read that this can be done from 37 weeks and stored in teh freezer.

Has anyone done this? I thought it might help.

 

[AmeliePoulain]

I did it

I have had gestational diabetes in both my pregnancies. Second time around I wanted to be prepared in case baby had low sugars. I expressed into 1ml syringes from 36 weeks.

It was hard work - I didn't have vast amounts of colostrum. But I took in 14ml of frozen colostrum which served me very well. It meant DD2 didn't need formula and I didn't have to hand express in hospital under pressure.

 

[MrsWatson]

Thanks for your reply. I think I'm going to try it, DD1 wouldn't latch on, which I discovered eventually was becuase of having very short nipples, she went into sleepy baby syndrome, and wouldn't wake to even try and feed, so after 2 hours of hand expressing, we had enough colostrum to stir her enough to try and latch, so I think having a supply in the freezer might come in handy if this is the case again