Hey honey!
Let’s talk about the stages of breast milk and my absolute favorite stage, colostrum aka Liquid Gold. Many new honeys have no idea that breast milk comes in small tiny amounts and builds in volume and changes composition daily. Breast milk changes composition daily based off your babee’s needs and that includes the amount you make in the early days of breastfeeding.
How does your body know what your babee needs?
The latch and it's in the saliva. Or if exclusively pumping coming contact with your babee for example by kissing them. 🥰
Three???
Up first...... Colostrum
DO NOT PUMP!!
Unless you are choosing to exclusively pump or separated from babee it is strongly advised not to pump during the first six weeks until your supply has regulated. However feeding challenges may have honeys pumping sooner than later. Always consult with a lactation consultant as a breast pump is considered a medical device. You need to be properly flange sized for your breasts so that you don’t cause nipple trauma or inefficient drainage of your breast which could impact your milk supply.
During the first few weeks milk production is controlled by your hormones and the body is trying to figure out how many babees you have had and adding extra nipple stimulation by pumping could create an oversupply which can lead to other medical conditions. Colostrum is very thick and is hard to express with a pump. Hand expression works best to drain the breast.
If you have become separated from your babee or your babee is in NICU you will need to begin pumping.
AHHHHHHHHHHH, make sense now?
KEEP LATCHING, HONEY.....
or pumping if you are exclusively pumping
By 40 days postpartum your milk volume will have built in volume to sustain your baby through the weaning stage. Which by coincidence is the same amount of time your should be recovering during the postpartum.
It's all by design honey.
Prenatal hand expression is helpful to some honeys and should be included in your birthing plan. It's the best back up for honeys and should begin around 37 weeks in low risk honeys.
So, is it safe???
YES!! But for low risk pregnant honeys. If you have a history ir miscarriage or still birth or weakened crevice colostrum collection is not recommended for you.
The oxytocin hormone released when expressing, stimulates the uterus. It is actually a tool we use to increase co fractions when honeys are in labor and contractions have slowed down or not intense e enough. Pack that wearable pump honey it can come in handy!!
Opinions differ on whether expressing colostrum antenatally is likely to induce labour. The fact is your uterus needs to have a sufficient amiunt if receptors open for it to induce labor. Those who advocate it, including myself, do not believe that expressing would constitute sufficient stimulation to start labour. If you can have sex you can hand express, honey. Sex while pregnant and breastfeeding through pregnancy both release oxytocin and both are generally considered safe while pregnant. If you experience any cramping in your uterus however, you should stop expressing and discuss your choice with your healthcare provider.
If you are currently expecting or newly breastfeeding my virtual breastfeeding class will get you started on the right tit when it comes to breast or chest feeding. If you are experiencing painful breastfeeding or have questions on how to build your milk supply, book an appointment with me here.
Sources:
Effect of Antenatal Breast Milk Expression at Term Pregnancy to Improve Post Natal Lactational Performance
Evaluating antenatal breastmilk expression outcomes: a scoping review with Diabetes
(No Premature Labor Effect) Effect of Antenatal Expression of Breast Milk at Term in Reducing Breast Feeding Failures
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