https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:21:32 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expressing-milk-before-baby-is-born#post-1811847 Tue, 12 Aug 2014 13:01:05 +0000 fairy 1811847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never held onto any of the colostrum (Wish I would have saved it!) But I did express some before my daughter was born while I was in the shower and I think that really helped move things along because the nurses at the hospital were impressed with how much colostrum I was making even though my milk didn't come in until 4 days pp. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expressing-milk-before-baby-is-born#post-1811663 Tue, 12 Aug 2014 12:05:10 +0000 Anutka 1811663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you do end up expressing colustrum, freeze it and take it with you for the birth. In case there are any issues (no latch, jaundice, etc), spoon feeding the colustrum can be a great help. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expressing-milk-before-baby-is-born#post-1811562 Tue, 12 Aug 2014 11:34:29 +0000 regberadaisy 1811562@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@emg86: thanks for the suggestion. I just started taking MMP over the weekend again. Here's hoping it helps!</p> <p>@msmug: I'm not expecting there to be any real output? I think it's just the massaging to get things moving? Or are you talking about literally *how* do you express milk? hehe</p> <p>My OB doesn't think there's any real concern of inducing labor. But I'll probably try it next week after my mom is here. If it induces labor it's a bonus since I'll be almost 39 weeks. :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expressing-milk-before-baby-is-born#post-1797401 Mon, 04 Aug 2014 12:00:32 +0000 emg86 1797401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't, but I did start More Milk Plus at 38wks after our lactation consultant suggested it. I have PCOS so low supply was a big concern of mine. I didn't have any issues and delivered a day before her due date and no supply issues (until I dried up once I got pregnant again). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expressing-milk-before-baby-is-born#post-1797388 Mon, 04 Aug 2014 11:56:39 +0000 msmug 1797388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>this may be a dumb question, but how do you express milk? I haven't seen any signs of leakage or engorgement. Maybe it's because I'm pregnant with my first? I'm 36+2 and there's no sign of anything... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expressing-milk-before-baby-is-born#post-1793838 Fri, 01 Aug 2014 09:23:56 +0000 matador84 1793838@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@locavore_mama: seriously I just do what I gotta do! I don't know how it happened but having two has been exponentially easier than what I imagined in my head! I get more rest with two than I did with 1!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expressing-milk-before-baby-is-born#post-1793737 Fri, 01 Aug 2014 08:54:53 +0000 autumnlove 1793737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't because I was afraid of stimulating labor and I wanted to wait for my scheduled c-section. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expressing-milk-before-baby-is-born#post-1793730 Fri, 01 Aug 2014 08:51:16 +0000 wonderstruck 1793730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm about to be 30 weeks pregnant, and I basically HAVE to express colostrum manually at least a few times a day, because it actually builds up to the point where I will have pain if I don't express it - it's already so powerful that it squirts out when I squeeze my nipple! It wasn't that powerful at first though, it used to be just a few drops, so it's definitely possible that my expressing it on a regular basis has been causing it to come out more strongly.</p> <p>I've never worried about it starting labor. I can see how that could happen if you tried using a pump or something, but with my first LO I was stimulating my nipples like crazy the last week trying to bring on labor, and it never worked. FWIW though, while my milk did come in quickly last time, I still had some supply issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expressing-milk-before-baby-is-born#post-1793601 Fri, 01 Aug 2014 07:57:05 +0000 regberadaisy 1793601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MOMTOLITTLEB: I'm sorry to hear that it didn't work! :(</p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: oh, good idea about starting supplements early.</p> <p>@matador84: You solo parent, with a toddler, HOW did you get more rest??! :shocked: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expressing-milk-before-baby-is-born#post-1793596 Fri, 01 Aug 2014 07:55:29 +0000 matador84 1793596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know if I would do that, personally-but if it encourages you to know--I had super low supply with my first and great supply with my second! I just pumped from the beginning to relieve engorgement-my first day home from hospital (day 3). Drank a ton more water and got more rest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expressing-milk-before-baby-is-born#post-1793594 Fri, 01 Aug 2014 07:54:48 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1793594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My OB did bring up that nipple stimulation can cause labor, so I would wait on that.</p> <p>But I have heard that you can start taking fenugreek and mothers milk tea before baby is born. </p> <p>If you do start, save anything that comes out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expressing-milk-before-baby-is-born#post-1793583 Fri, 01 Aug 2014 07:48:29 +0000 MOMTOLITTLEB 1793583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was really worried about low supply so my doctor told me I could try pumping prior to my due date. I think she did warn that it could induce labor so to wait until a certain point. I never expressed anything really and then my milk barely ever came in after the baby's birth. I'm hoping for better luck next time too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/expressing-milk-before-baby-is-born#post-1793577 Fri, 01 Aug 2014 07:41:55 +0000 regberadaisy 1793577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm 36+2 today and have been reading up on "Making More Milk" before LO arrives due to my low supply the first time around.</p> <p>One of the suggestions were starting to express colostrum manually in the weeks before your due date. The book is claiming this will encourage your milk to come in quicker and more supply. It's also claiming it will NOT induce labor. </p> <p>I plan to ask my OB about the inducing labor aspect at my next appointment. But just wondering if anyone has had experience with this before?</p> <p>Thanks! </p>