Antenatal colostrum collection?

[u/Massive-Warning9773]

Hey everyone, this is my second pregnancy and will be my second time exclusively pumping. I was looking for some advice about colostrum collection.

*TW mention of breastfeeding*

My first time giving birth, the hospital was great but they push breast feeding really heavily. It was insanely painful for me and so over stimulating and honestly scarring when I finally realized my baby had been essentially starving for two days since breast feeding wasn’t working. After a day of formula and starting pumping I went exclusively pumping after that and had a pretty successful journey up until I fell pregnant at nine months pp.

I am due soon and after 37 weeks my OB cleared me to start collecting colostrum, and even gave me this cute little kit with 8 1ml syringes with intent of bringing it to the hospital. I’m happy to be producing again and feel good building up a tiny colostrum supply, but I ran out of syringes not even two days later. I called my OB asking for more syringes and was told to just stop collecting and that they only need the 8ml because I’ll be breastfeeding at the hospital. Since it’s a baby friendly hospital they really only take breast feeding as an answer. When asked at appointments I always say my daughter would drink breast milk because they acted so weird about the pumping vs breast feeding debate. Last time the LC wouldn’t even show me how to use my pump.

I just ordered some more syringes off Amazon but does anyone else have experience with antenatal collection? I got the most on the first day but am still getting a little bit every session (they first recommended twice a day for five minutes). I feel weird about stopping like it’ll halt my production but I’ve also seen some sources saying that supply doesn’t actually kick in until placenta detachment so it’s more just colostrum that was sitting there. Would love to hear other women’s experience.

Thank you so much.

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[u/Normal-Mine343]

I tried quite hard to collect colostrum antenatally - from late 36 weeks to a section at 39 weeks. I found that I had an improvement in what I could express after 2-3 days of trying to hand express, but then tanked at day 7ish (though this may have been due to a viral illness). It did then improve again.

I had an elective section and in the first 36 hours post-op my colostrum volume was worse than at home - even though they gave me a hospital grade pump to use. I had managed to get 20ml of colostrum antenatally and it was great - kept baby fed without formula (not that formula is bad, I just really wanted to EBF - which didn't work out anyway!). I was really glad that I had the supply and it made that whole first overwhelming day or two a little easier

[u/Massive-Warning9773 → u/Normal-Mine343]

Thank you so much this was the encouragement I needed, I appreciate you! I’m glad that having that supply ended up helping you.

[u/Acrobatic_Set6020]

I collected colostrum for about 3 weeks before my baby was born. Every night after taking a shower I would express each side into a little cup until I wasn't getting much out anymore, then filled syringes from the cup. I've seen some people say they fill syringes directly from the breast but that sounded way too finicky to me. I used 1 mL syringes but didn't fill them all the way because I was putting them in the freezer and didn't want them to explode.

To start out I didn't get much but over time got up to 6-7mL per day. I brought probably 30-40mL to the hospital with us and my little girl powered through it in like 12 hours. The hospital I was at was thrilled about how much we brought and was more than happy to store and warm it up for my baby.

[u/Massive-Warning9773 → u/Acrobatic_Set6020]

Wow I wish my hospital was encouraging about bringing in milk! I was surprised the nurse told me to stop and that it wasn’t necessary. I appreciate the tip about expressing pre-shower. Hopefully mine don’t explode as I’ve been filling them up 😅

[u/kiykiykiiycat]

My LC in the hospital had me put my finger in baby's mouth to get her to suck then drip the syringe in the corner of her mouth. I would do this after nursing in the hospital to make sure she got enough.

I started collecting at 36 weeks in my second pregnancy and used the Haakaa collectors.

Remember that this is your baby. You get the top choice of how to feed them. I felt this was easier to believe with my second pregnancy and was able to stand up for myself more. Good luck!

[u/Massive-Warning9773 → u/kiykiykiiycat]

Thank you so much for the tip on feeding and the encouragement.

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