Early colostrum and breastfeeding

unicorncandycanes

I've noticed some early clear colostrum. 15wks 4 days and wondering if anyone else is experiencing anything this early? I'm pretty set on breastfeeding, read where if you see it this early its a good sign. What do ya'll think? Any tips on how to prepare for breastfeeding? 

wildtot

I didn’t leak until closer to birth so no experience here. I never really heard it’s that common or normal to happen early on but I’m no doctor. You probably don’t want to pump it right now if that’s your question. It can cause some Ute contractions (i was advised against it with DS because i was alright experiencing preterm labor symptoms). Maybe this is a good sign you’ll have supply, that’s awesome! But i wouldn’t want to give the impression that the rest of us will have a harder time BF because we may not experience this till much later. I would probably follow up with your doctor to make sure it’s all good. 

modschetter

I was leaking a little bit early on with my last son. But I don’t think it’s necessarily colostrum at this point. The colostrum is very yellow in color and a little thicker than your milk. I haven’t heard whether or not leaking early is a good sign, but I do know that I had a decent supply with my first and my milk fully came in about two days post birth. Don’t try to express anything before the baby is born because the baby needs all the nutrients from the actual colostrum immediately after birth to help rid themselves of the meconium. 

In in terms of preparing for breastfeeding, unfortunately there is not a lot that you can do to prep yourself aside from adjusting your diet to include foods that help milk production like oatmeal (and oddly enough, red Gatorade helped me too). I would also load up on lanolin because you will be sore at first. Just don’t be hard on yourself, breastfeeding is hard but it gets better!! The best advice I got was that if you can make it past 2 weeks, then you should be ok. The first few weeks are the hardest but it’s worth it. 

wildtot

Yes! Don’t be too hard or set high expectations on BF for yourself. I personally envisioned something totally different than reality and i felt like a failure. It hit hard when i had to pump. But at the end of it baby was fed. That’s what matters the most! There maybe done breastfeeding courses out there you can check out. But again is different for everyone.

unicorncandycanes

Thanks ladies! I've got an appointment with a midwife tomorrow, I plan on bringing this up and hopefully finding out what I'm having if all things go well. 

michelle_bird

I didn't start having colostrum until my baby was born. But, a random symptom that I have had while pregnant both times now is random yellowish stuff on my nips.  It ends up looking like dried yellow scabs on them, but if I'm brave enough to rub them with a washcloth in the shower it all comes off in the same sort of boogerish texture.  My doc says it's normal.  DD saw it recently and said "yucky".  LOL

chaser61

I haven’t had colostrum show up yet. As for tips, if I were to do it all over again with my first, I would have attended a Le Leche League meeting while pregnant. Hearing the discussions and seeing women casually breastfeeding would have taken away some of the mystery. I was never around family or friends that breastfeed. I would also research and keep a phone number handy for a Lactation consultant. Maybe you won’t need one but if you do it is nice to have it handy. Some doulas stick around and provide breastfeeding support but I am not sure you are going that route.

flockofmoosen3

Yeah I wouldn't set any expectations of BF based on nipple discharge before birth. Sounds like a recipe for self-loathing. 

cseley321

My best advice for BF is take it day by day and just make sure your baby is fed.  

unicorncandycanes

@chaser61 Thats kinda where I'm at when it comes to family who didn't BF. My mom had something pretty weird TMI she tried to explain(as to why she couldn't). Because of my location BF classes aren't an option unless I want to drive an hour or two. I figured you mommies would have some good advice/tricks for getting started and what to look for. 

I try not to set high expectations, I would call it more excitement than anything. Thanks again ladies for all the feedback and support. 

zande2016

Maybe pick up the womanly art of breastfeeding (book) if you can't take a class. Aside from preparing by educating yourself, my biggest advice is to reach out to an IBCLC when you get home from the hospital and do a home visit if you're struggling. My LC seriously saved my breastfeeding journey from ending when things felt hopeless. 

chaser61

I second @zande2016 recommendation to read the womanly art of breastfeeding. 
@unicorncandycanes I found a friend who was successful with breastfeeding and asked her many questions throughout the journey. She was there to commiserate when things were not going well and there to encourage me when I needed it.

flockofmoosen3

My hospital has LCs that check in with mom's after birth to help with BF and answer any questions and they offered a thirty minute in-person class just to show you how it works. When you do your hospital tour you could ask about what they offer.

michelle_bird

I third the book recommendation.  And have two other tips:
1 - Make sure to tell your recovery room nurse that a visit with the LC before you discharge is very important to you.  My room had a board with pain levels and "goals for today" and that's what we put on mine for goal.
2 - Join the Dairy Queens group on Facebook.  TONS of advice and ladies in there.  I spent many hours those first 1-2 months in the middle of the night reading on there and on Kelly's site about breastfeeding while I was breastfeeding. 

unicorncandycanes

I met with the midwife today and she let me know the leak was nothing to be concerned about! Said it's not common but not unheard of. @zande2016 I found the book! Thank you so much!  And just on top of the good news.... I'm having a girl.

Lelo2006

I'm a STM, and honestly nothing prepared me for breastfeeding except breastfeeding. After I had the baby, I went to a breastfeeding support group and got all my specific questions answered. Also, be sure to use the lactation consultant as much as possible while you're in the hospital. Don't feel bad about bothering them. I called them a million times for help, haha! Good luck!