Colostrum 101

Sugargirl1019 · May 2017

I feel like this is an elephant in the room.. where we start experiencing it but nobody knows what to say about it.

Who's leaking?
When did it start?
Are you planning on collecting?
How will you collect?

Let's talk about colostrum and stuff.. and ask questions.

Participation FTW!

Sugargirl1019 · May 2017

I started leaking during 24 weeks. My right nipple got really dark and the areola got larger than the left, and the PAIN. Omg. So I massaged and squeezed it, and a puddle of liquid formed on the nipple. Cue me screaming for DH. Now, righty drips down my boob. Lefty is behind but is making some.

I'm definitely planning on collecting colostrum because my LO is highly likely to have low blood sugar at birth. I'd like to feed my colostrum to try to raise her sugar instead of her going to the NICU and getting all the treatment there.

Everything I've read is hand expression and collection after 36 weeks. But you're allowed to manually express for pain relief without any worry of preterm labor beforehand.

So why can't you collect anything that might happen to come out before 36 weeks and freeze it? Isn't colostrum good for that long? I feel like my right side is producing a lot and I'd like to save it.

I read La Lech League and they say after 34-36 weeks, manual expression 3 times a day for about 5 minutes each is safe. But I can't find any information on saving colostrum earlier than that.

JNR6510 · May 2017

I have only had leaking issues a handful of times so far. I don't plan to collect it. I plan to wait to start collecting / pumping until after LO is born.

Rhubarb7216 · May 2017

26 weeks here and haven't had any leaking. Until reading this post, I didn't know collection before birth was a thing, so I really hadn't thought about it! But I'm curious to hear what others have to say to see if I should consider it. I'm already at risk for preterm labor from a short cervix, so I definitely wouldn't do anything until after 36 weeks.

Sugargirl1019 · May 2017

I've talked to a lot of ladies.. and they said the amount of nipple stimulation would have to be an electric pump for 15 minutes every hour for several hours a day to stimulate labor.

I don't have to do any nipple stimulation per say. I just squeeze my boob a little and it starts running out.

wineren · May 2017

I'm 24 weeks and I haven't had any leaking. My boobs have definitely been more tender the past week or so, like they're back to when I was first pregnant. I also did not know that collecting was a thing. I'll probably not unless there ends up being a medical reason it could help like the blood sugar.

lilpoots · May 2017

The more you express, the more you will make. So if you are uncomfortable now, you may be more so as your body takes cues to make more milk.

I've had colostrum since early on, but I've been leaving everything alone and letting it calm down, because I'm prone to mastitis. I'm no longer leaking, but I did feel another recent increase in production at 22 weeks.

coastalmomma2 · May 2017

I haven't had any leaking per say, but they have gotten a little, for lack of a better word, crusty for the past few weeks. Almost like something is trying to leak out but is blocked and stays put. That is an attractive description.

lilpoots · May 2017

CoastalMomma said:

I haven't had any leaking per say, but they have gotten a little, for lack of a better word, crusty for the past few weeks. Almost like something is trying to leak out but is blocked and stays put. That is an attractive description.

The early colostrum is super thick and can be a little irritating to the nipples.

coastalmomma2 · May 2017

@lilpoots, yes, it is. One of them has had an uncomfortable burning sensation the past couple weeks. Going to check in with my OB for my monthly appointment tomorrow.

Breath_Easy92 · May 2017

@CoastalMomma keep us updated! I have the same thing... I tried to unblock it but it came right back.

ColoradoHiker · May 2017

I just started leaking a few drops a couple days ago. I'm not planning on collecting ahead of time, partly because the amount is so minimal that it's not really worth it. But also, even though the chance of preterm labor is slim, I'm not willing to risk it. But, I'm also going to supplement with formula until my milk comes in, which is what I did with DS.

If you're really interested in collecting colostrum early, I strongly recommend talking to your OB/ MW to get their medical opinion on it first. FWIW, baby's stomach will be about the size of a marble when they are born. It doesn't take much to feed them, so having a big frozen supply early really may not be necessary.

Carebella · May 2017

25+5 now... I think I noticed the switch to colostrum around 23 weeks? I haven't noticed any leaking and don't recall much, if any, leaking last time. But this time I have a DS that is still nursing. I hadn't heard about collecting before hand, and won't as long as things continue to progress normally. If something changes and I become high risk, I'd be open to it in case something happens where at or after birth where I'd be out of commission or on medication that made the colostrum unusable.

labby18 · May 2017

I started leaking at around 17wks. (FTM here) and my left leaks way more than my right, but it definitely comes from both sides. I express just a little every day in the shower because it helps alleviate any discomfort. I've thought about collection, I plan on discussing this further with my midwife this week and even more at my breastfeeding class that our hospital hosts with a lactation specialist. It doesn't really take any nipple stimulation, just a little squeeze of my breast tissue and then a little squeeze just outside of my areola (almost like milking a cow...lol). My husband says "welp, at least we know they work". At my 20wk appointment, I brought it up to my OB that I'm producing colostrum already, and he said "that's impressive". And that is about it. I decided to switch to a midwife, so we shall see what she says on Friday.

coastalmomma2 · May 2017

@Breath_Easy92, I completely forgot to ask about it at my appointment today. Pregnancy brain is in full force. I also forgot to bring maternity paperwork from HR for the doctor to sign and left my book at the coffee shop's cash register. I miss my old brain.

Sugargirl1019 · May 2017

@labby18 It sounds like we're pretty similar. I wonder if my OB would have supplies or recommendations on where to get supplies to collect. I've heard women talking about oral syringes 3-5 cc with rubber stoppers on the end.. but the rubber stopper part is hard to find. If you learn anything, let me know

I'm definitely going to collect.

lilpoots · May 2017

@Sugargirl1019 my son was born with low blood sugar. I fed him colostrum via syringe and feeding tube, because he was a preemie and could not suck/swallow. Ultimately we needed to mix some formula half and half with colostrum to get his blood sugar with in range and stay there. He did not need to go to the NICU for this. Is there a reason your hospital would send him there for something so common? I am not a type 1 diabetic, so I'm ignorant to any special concerns.

labby18 · May 2017

@Sugargirl1019
hmmm, i will definitely ask Friday, and then probably also ask the lactation specialist when we go there.

jlf1019 · May 2017

@lilpoots @Sugargirl1019 same. My daughter was born with low blood sugar (it was 19), likely due to my gestational diabetes. We had to stay in the hospital a couple extra days, and while they mentioned the NICU as a possibility if we couldn't get her stabilized, they never actually took her there. We gave her colostrum, and a little formula, through a syringe. But she stayed with us in our room the whole time, with the exception of a couple times we let them take her to the nursery so we could nap.

Sugargirl1019 · May 2017

@lilpoots This is my first, so I'm just hearing other experiences, but apparently the babies can have trouble keeping their blood sugar up and need a feeding tube requiring NICU. /shrug so I'd like to avoid that. The Type 1 group I'm a part of all recommend collecting colostrum.. and a lot of them post how their LO had to be taken to NICU. I'd just like to be prepared

@jlf1019 It's great to hear your experience! I'm glad it's a possibility to keep baby in the room without NICU just because of low blood sugar.

lilpoots · May 2017

@Sugargirl1019 thanks for the information. I figured you'd done a fair amount of research on it, that I had not. I definitely hope your little one avoids NICU and an ngtube. If baby has good suck swallow reflexes, there shouldn't be a need for a tube. FX. I wonder if an ibclc could help advocate for figure and syringe feeding?

Sugargirl1019 · May 2017

I really need to talk to my doctor next week about this haha. It feels too early, and then again, it doesnt! @lilpoots
Kind of like asking for a hospital/l&d tour...

Breath_Easy92 · May 2017

@CoastalMomma haha that's okay I'm right there with you. I was crying when my husband got home from work yesterday and when he asked I didn't have a clue why I was upset anymore.

MamaForester · May 2017

I'm happy to read this thread and see that others have the questions I do...I've been wondering about all things colostrum...my 21 month old daughter is still "nursing" once or twice a day I think just for comfort because I'm not convinced there is any milk left. I can't get any by pumping for the last month or so. But anyway, my boobs have gotten MUCH bigger in the last month as well and I've noticed a little more of the "crusty" stuff that others have mentioned on my nipples. I've been wondering if my colostrum will come in and whether there is any downside to having DD still nursing if it does? I'm assuming not, and I would think I would see some kind of reaction from her if all of the sudden there was some different tasting "stuff" coming out when she nursed?? I'm pretty ready to have a little break from nursing and have my boobs to myself for a few months before DS arrives in September.

tfrangul · May 2017

@MamaForester I'm in the same boat as you. Still nursing my 17 mth old and my boobs are getting huge. I would love a break! I'm going to have to just be done. He only nurses at night and at nap on the weekends. I'm over it though for sure. Props to those who can stick it out longer!

khenry12 · May 2017

MamaForester said:

I'm happy to read this thread and see that others have the questions I do...I've been wondering about all things colostrum...my 21 month old daughter is still "nursing" once or twice a day I think just for comfort because I'm not convinced there is any milk left. I can't get any by pumping for the last month or so. But anyway, my boobs have gotten MUCH bigger in the last month as well and I've noticed a little more of the "crusty" stuff that others have mentioned on my nipples. I've been wondering if my colostrum will come in and whether there is any downside to having DD still nursing if it does? I'm assuming not, and I would think I would see some kind of reaction from her if all of the sudden there was some different tasting "stuff" coming out when she nursed?? I'm pretty ready to have a little break from nursing and have my boobs to myself for a few months before DS arrives in September.

We are still nursing here (dd is almost a year) but there has been no milk for a while. She gets formula for calories and njses for comfort. Recently she will get a swallow or three of colostrum and the only downside I've noticed is her poop is looser the next day. Mine had no reaction to the taste but it usually happens at night so shes sleep nursing and not tasting anything I guess?

For those worried about preterm labor, i am not a dr, but when they were trying to stimulate labor using a pump w dd they were doing three min on and three min off. Just thought id throw this out there.

Sugargirl1019 · June 2017

@MamaForester I read that there's no way for LO to use up your colostrum or take it away from your new baby, so at least there's that! I have no experience with side effects on a nursing LO if they ingest it though.

@khenry12 Thanks for sharing your experience! I didn't know actually using a pump to stimulate labor was a thing! The more I hear, the less I am worried about preterm labor. But hey. If I'm getting induced between 37 and 38 weeks, any help to go naturally would be great.

Sugargirl1019 · June 2017

A medical research study about prenatal expression came out today. It's really interesting and shows no negative side effects to mom or baby i.e. preterm labor, fetal distress.

Here's the article and the research study is linked in the article if you want to read it.

https://ibconline.ca/unusual-circumstances/

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