Pregnancy lactation

mtgale21 · March 2016

FTM here. I am almost 30 weeks into my pregnancy and I have a question for all other moms. How long into your pregnancy did you start lactating? I have been leaking for almost 6 weeks now and I'm getting worried. Has anyone ever started breast feeding before pregnancy? Or is that something that needs to wait until after birth?

AnastasiaBeaverhausen09 · March 2016

Am I missing something? How in the world would you breast feed before birth?

I am not currently leaking but from everything I've read it's extremely common, especially at this stage. You can call your doctor if you are worried.

sarawifenow · March 2016

I agree with @AnastasiaBeaverhausen09 how can you breastfeed before birth? Do you mean pump and store? I have heard not to do that because it can mess up your supply after birth.

I am 31w2d and started leaking off and on over the weekend.

Jparke2 · March 2016

I'm 30 weeks and I've been leaking for months. I've heard it's perfectly normal. If you need to, just use the protective pads and just let it happen! I wouldn't pump/store or anything like that.

JennyS86 · March 2016

If you are thinking of pumping, make sure to run it by your OB because pumping is known to increase oxytocin, which can cause preterm labor. Pumping and storing colostrum can be recommended to, for example, gestational diabetic Mamas, so that their newborn has a back-up option if their blood sugar is low during the first day or two of life. Again, only to be done from the direction of your OB.

dsmith211 · March 2016

JennyS86 said:

If you are thinking of pumping, make sure to run it by your OB because pumping is known to increase oxytocin, which can cause preterm labor. Pumping and storing colostrum can be recommended to, for example, gestational diabetic Mamas, so that their newborn has a back-up option if their blood sugar is low during the first day or two of life. Again, only to be done from the direction of your OB.

This.

saraleigh2 · March 2016

Yup I've been leaking for weeks...

JoMunson · March 2016

I asked my lactation consultant about early pumping since I occasionally leak a little and have one wonky nipple I'm hoping LO will fix. They said not to until you're at least full term because it can cause pre term labor.
Also the milk you store might be a bit of a waste since (depending on how you store it) it could go bad before baby comes.
Just let it flow.

araecasey · March 2016

JennyS86 said:

If you are thinking of pumping, make sure to run it by your OB because pumping is known to increase oxytocin, which can cause preterm labor. Pumping and storing colostrum can be recommended to, for example, gestational diabetic Mamas, so that their newborn has a back-up option if their blood sugar is low during the first day or two of life. Again, only to be done from the direction of your OB.

I just had this exact conversation with someone else earlier today. This is true for women who are already at risk for preterm labor. Women who are low risk are in no more danger from pumping than they are from enjoying cuddling, kissing, sex, and orgasm. I agree it's smart to consult your OB/midwife on such things, BUT. Studies show the amount of oxytocin released during pumping is comparable or LESS THAN the amount released during orgasm. I'll be pumping and freezing my colostrum in the instance we'd need to supplement (although I don't anticipate that happening), and if we don't need it I'll donate it to a momma and baby who do.

lalala2004 · March 2016

araecasey said:

JennyS86 said:

If you are thinking of pumping, make sure to run it by your OB because pumping is known to increase oxytocin, which can cause preterm labor. Pumping and storing colostrum can be recommended to, for example, gestational diabetic Mamas, so that their newborn has a back-up option if their blood sugar is low during the first day or two of life. Again, only to be done from the direction of your OB.

I just had this exact conversation with someone else earlier today. This is true for women who are already at risk for preterm labor. Women who are low risk are in no more danger from pumping than they are from enjoying cuddling, kissing, sex, and orgasm. I agree it's smart to consult your OB/midwife on such things, BUT. Studies show the amount of oxytocin released during pumping is comparable or LESS THAN the amount released during orgasm. I'll be pumping and freezing my colostrum in the instance we'd need to supplement (although I don't anticipate that happening), and if we don't need it I'll donate it to a momma and baby who do.

I'm glad you said that. I was wondering because obviously some women are still nursing their first child when they become pregnant with their second.

JennyS86 · March 2016

lalala2004 said:

araecasey said:

JennyS86 said:

If you are thinking of pumping, make sure to run it by your OB because pumping is known to increase oxytocin, which can cause preterm labor. Pumping and storing colostrum can be recommended to, for example, gestational diabetic Mamas, so that their newborn has a back-up option if their blood sugar is low during the first day or two of life. Again, only to be done from the direction of your OB.

I just had this exact conversation with someone else earlier today. This is true for women who are already at risk for preterm labor. Women who are low risk are in no more danger from pumping than they are from enjoying cuddling, kissing, sex, and orgasm. I agree it's smart to consult your OB/midwife on such things, BUT. Studies show the amount of oxytocin released during pumping is comparable or LESS THAN the amount released during orgasm. I'll be pumping and freezing my colostrum in the instance we'd need to supplement (although I don't anticipate that happening), and if we don't need it I'll donate it to a momma and baby who do.

I'm glad you said that. I was wondering because obviously some women are still nursing their first child when they become pregnant with their second.

This case is different because milk production did not cease.

JennyS86 · March 2016

@ araecasey I just hope that you would also recommend that people wait until they are term before they pump.

araecasey · March 2016

JennyS86 said:
@ araecasey I just hope that you would also recommend that people wait until they are term before they pump.
Qbf.... sorry!

I recommend that women do their own research and decide what they feel comfortable with. As I said, nipple stimulation releases comparable oxytocin amounts to orgasm. I don't know many OBs who restrict all pregnant women to orgasm only when they're full term. Kellymom, breastfeedingusa.org, and the Australian Breastfeeding Association are a good place to start reading up about the risks and benefits of expressing milk during pregnancy.

JessicaB0627 · March 2016

araecasey said:

JennyS86 said:

If you are thinking of pumping, make sure to run it by your OB because pumping is known to increase oxytocin, which can cause preterm labor. Pumping and storing colostrum can be recommended to, for example, gestational diabetic Mamas, so that their newborn has a back-up option if their blood sugar is low during the first day or two of life. Again, only to be done from the direction of your OB.

I just had this exact conversation with someone else earlier today. This is true for women who are already at risk for preterm labor. Women who are low risk are in no more danger from pumping than they are from enjoying cuddling, kissing, sex, and orgasm. I agree it's smart to consult your OB/midwife on such things, BUT. Studies show the amount of oxytocin released during pumping is comparable or LESS THAN the amount released during orgasm. I'll be pumping and freezing my colostrum in the instance we'd need to supplement (although I don't anticipate that happening), and if we don't need it I'll donate it to a momma and baby who do.

I did some research on this, not because I have any desire to pump before LO is here, but because I saw all over TB that expressing milk/pumping causes preterm labor. Research shows that it can help induce labor in women already full-term, just like having sex, but seems to have no effect on women not at risk for preterm labor. Thank you for saying that!

JennyS86 · March 2016

I agree - I'm glad that more research is being done on this topic. A FTM, however, might not know she is at risk for preterm labor until it starts.

I think another, unrelated, reason to wait until close to term is breast milk and colostrum storage. I know there are varying beliefs as far as length of time breastmilk can be stored in the fridge (I think 7-8 days, but again, more research). If possible, I would rather feed a newborn refrigerated colostrum than frozen colostrum. Granted, I'm going to use the breatsmilk from last August in my deep freezer before I use formula.

araecasey · March 2016

JennyS86 said:

I agree - I'm glad that more research is being done on this topic. A FTM, however, might not know she is at risk for preterm labor until it starts.

I think another, unrelated, reason to wait until close to term is breast milk and colostrum storage. I know there are varying beliefs as far as length of time breastmilk can be stored in the fridge (I think 7-8 days, but again, more research). If possible, I would rather feed a newborn refrigerated colostrum than frozen colostrum. Granted, I'm going to use the breatsmilk from last August in my deep freezer before I use formula.

You're right, refrigerated milk has better maintained immune factors, but like you I'd personally rather give frozen milk than formula if supplementation is needed. For me and my babies, the benefits of pumping colostrum outweigh the risks!

I might only have a few mLs of colostrum on hand if I restrict my storage practices to refrigeration only, whereas I might be able to pump several syringes' worth that could be frozen and used for my new babe or for someone else's.

For anyone reading this and feeling overwhelmed/boggled by the idea of pumping before baby is even here, know this isn't a typical or necessary practice for the vast majority of mommas. Put it out of your mind if it feels like too much. I personally will be trying this because I needed to supplement with DD and would feel more peaceful going into this baby's birth with a little stash.

And if anyone is lurking on this thread and wondering about breastmilk storage, here's a great table with guidelines for storing your milk.

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