Colostrum

Question: colostrum? did any of u know when u had the first signs that your colostrum is coming? did u have any signs at all, or did it just come unaware ?...i'm 28 weeks + 3days pregnant and no signs as of yet.. i know that it can come at any time. was just wondering what your experiences were ?

Answer: The only way I knew is because I leaked a little on my night shirt. It felt wet, and I looked down and had a nickel sized wet spot on my shirt. That was probably around 30 weeks and it happened another time around 34 weeks. It's very random and so far only out of my left side.... But everyone's different

Question: Is it possible to express colostrum prior to the birth? Just out of curiosity, I know that most women leak some colostrum before the birth - would it be possible to express some and freeze for use later? How about donating it rather than using it for your own baby then? Just to clarify, I am not pregnant nor planning to be pregnant again, it was only out of curiosity. Also, to all the people asking why, I was wondering for the sake of the nutritional value of colostrum and the immunities it offers.

Answer: Edited to add: I do not believe that there is human colostrum banking in North America. There is barely milk banking at all. Also there is normally a minimum amount for milk banks. So yes it would be beneficial not just to other babies but also people receiving chemo, bowel surgery, and who knows what else. But I don't think, at this points, there is anyplace that takes it. ======= Yes its possible, many women continue to nurse an older child during pregnancy and at some point that child will be getting colostrum. That being said while colostrum may be of some use as a wound dressing its not very useful for the new baby. You will make far more than your baby needs the first days, as a baby's stomach is the size of a chickpea (garbanzo bean) the first days and will NOT expand to hold any more. http://www.llli.org/FAQ/colostrum.html Stomach capacity of the newborn When mothers hear that colostrum is measurable in teaspoons rather than ounces, they often wonder if that can really be enough for their babies. The short answer is that colostrum is the only food healthy, full-term babies need. The following is an explanation: A 1 day old baby's stomach capacity is about 5-7 ml, or about the size of a marble. Interestingly, researchers have found that the day-old newborn's stomach does not stretch to hold more. Since the walls of the newborn's stomach stays firm, extra milk is most often expelled (spit up). Your colostrum is just the right amount for your baby's first feedings! By day 3, the newborn's stomach capacity has grown to about 0.75-1 oz, or about the size of a "shooter" marble. Small, frequent feedings assure that your baby takes in all the milk he needs. Around day 7, the newborn's stomach capacity is now about 1.5-2 oz, or about the size of a ping-pong ball. Continued frequent feeding will assure that your baby takes in all the milk he needs, and your milk production meets his demands. http://www.kellymom.com/nursingtwo/faq/05pumping.html s it safe to use a breastpump during pregnancy? It is often stated that a woman should not use a breastpump when pregnant. However, there is considerable reason to believe that pumping, like breastfeeding, will not trigger preterm labor in a healthy pregnancy. When contemplating pumping during pregnancy, it is important to consider your motives for doing so. In general, when it comes to pumping during pregnancy, your efforts are best directed elsewhere unless you are pumping to provide milk for your current nursling. * If you are pumping to provide milk for your current nursling when you are separated, this should not pose more of a problem than breastfeeding. Many working moms continue to pump through pregnancy, although pumping output will decrease due to the hormonal changes of pregnancy. Aim to keep your pumping in scale with what you were doing before pregnancy, or in scale with your baby's normal breastfeeding. Sustained and intense pumping is more of an unknown and is not recommended. * If you wish to put some expressed milk in the freezer for your unborn child, keep in mind that pumping is not likely to be very productive during pregnancy. Milk supply and pumping output will decrease due to the hormonal changes of pregnancy. * Pumping prior to birth will not increase milk production for your unborn child or otherwise enhance lactation after birth. * If you are hoping to induce labor, it is known that nipple stimulation at term (38+ weeks) can be helpful for ripening the cervix and inducing labor. See also Is it safe to nurse during pregnancy?

Question: How do I draw out my colostrum manually? I had a breast reduction 6 years ago and had trouble breastfeeding my first baby. I've had time to heal since then and am 9 months pregnant. I sometimes notice colostrum on the outside of my nipples, but I have read on several websites that there are things you can do manually draw it out, which will help increase the supply. Any suggestions?

Answer: I wouldn't recommend drawing any out until after you deliver your baby. Your body knows how much colostrum it needs to make for your baby. You could throw yourself into premature labor by stimulating your nipples. Just get your doctors advice...

Question: When do your nipples start leaking colostrum? I am 20+6 pregnant and I think that i am getting a clear fluid from my nipples. Could this be colostrum already?

Answer: Yep. I started producing colostrum in the middle of my second trimesters with both my daughters.

Question: When did your breasts start to leak colostrum? I am 14 wks pregnant at the moment with bubs no. 1 and wondering when the colostrum kicks in?

Answer: i didnt leak at all. ((well now my baby is here and my milk came in and i leak that like crazy....))

Question: How much Colostrum should be given to a kitten? I've been taking care of an orphaned kitten, who is know 5 days old. I got the Colostrum powder hoping it would help improve it's immune system. Does anyone know the measurements for how much powder should be given and how frequently? I've taken it to the vet and he told me nothing other than the kitten was a little dehydyrated. He offered NO advice or even mentioned that Pedialyte and colostrum could be used. Which I found out from a friend. Colostrum Info: Symbiotics: Colostrum Plus Powder 960mg per serving (proprietary blend with bovine colostrum and phospholipids) 2/3 Teaspoon for an adult human Half that for Children This is just a general powder not specificly marked for kittens. But I am under the impression that it doesn't matter what type of Colostrum it is.

Answer: It would help to know what kind of powder you are talking about. Is it transfer factor? Once or twice a day and 1/3 of a childs dosage should be alright. But ask your vet!

Question: Is it normal to have colostrum and blood leaking from my nipple at 20 weeks pregnant? I'm 20 weeks pregnant and my breasts have been leaking a little colostrum every now and then for about 2-3 weeks. But today there was not only colostrum but blood coming out of one of my breast! Is this normal? I was thinking it was becasue this is my first pregnancy and I am pretty small (5 ft. 105 lbs) is this happening becasue my breasts aren't used to growing or what?

Answer: hey, It is normal to have colostrum from 14 weeks.. But the blood leaking isnt. I know that some ladies that recieve their milk after bub is born (during that time) have blood aswel sometimes. So the doctors clearly rule out the breastfeeding and bubs has to go on furmula. It was my friends first bub. Also happened to a family member, Same thing was said to her. god Bless x Speak to your doctor darling

Question: What is the minimum amount of colostrum for a baby lamb? Last night one of our ewes had twins. One twin is good and strong the other is tiny. She survived the night by me feeding small amounts of milk replacer then this morning i milked out some colostrum. The ewe has very little milk, i could only get 10-15 ml of colostrum. I plan to get some more this afternoon (i had to go to work) so will that small amount be enough till i get home?

Answer: When it comes to colostrum, every little bit counts. Your ewe might not be capable of making enough for both (particularly if she's a first-time freshener), or she hasn't completely bagged up yet. She will only produce colostrum for the first 24-48 hours anyway, so it's not completely unusual for her to not be producing heavily yet. Colostrum is also very rich in nutrients and is produced to give the new lambs more nutrition in smaller amounts, as their new system can't necessarily handle a big meal. For your ewe's benefit, give her a calcium drench and a vitamin B injection. This should help her regain some strength and energy to take care of her lambs and also boost her milk production. Did you pull the tiny lamb or did she reject it? I've supplemented smaller ones and still kept them on the mother. That way, they can get whatever they can from her and still get enough to thrive. This is also alot easier than trying to completely handraise a lamb. If she hasn't rejected it, keep them together and simply use a bottle to help out. Feel the lamb's stomach and see if it's getting something, watch to make sure it is defecating/urinating. Until you're sure she can supply both, you can be bottlefeeding the lamb colostrum or colostrum replacer about 4 times a day, usually only a couple of ounces at a time. Overfeeding can lead to scours. If using replacer, I make sure they receive the replacer for 3 days, then switch to milk or milk replacer formula. You can also use goats milk, which is nutritionally beneficial to lambs as well (and for us, cheaper and easier to come by!) After you switch to milk replacer, you should be feeding 4-8 oz. three times a day. This will increase to about 12 ounces by the next week and up to a quart a day. I had one of our lambs throw triplets this year and she actually produced enough to feed everyone eventually, but I did supplement the smallest one for awhile. If you need more help, feel free to email me. BTW, what breed do you raise? We only get lambs in the spring.

Question: What do you use for a baby lamb that did not get colostrum? We have sheep. Sometimes, a ewe is unable to nurse. We have to take the lambs from her and they sometimes do not get colostrum. We have not have a lamb survive yet if it did not get colostrum from its mother. Is there something we could feed the lamb that would act as a colostrum subsititute?

Answer: A raw egg in the milk replacer, adds a lot of what is missing.Natural antibodies, fat and protien... This should help until the vet can be contacted..

Question: Is producing colostrum a sign that your pregnancy is going well? Just curious, does it mean everything is good so far and your still pregnant?? Would you still get colostrum if you lost the baby later in pregnancy?

Answer: Yes it is, and congratulations!!! =0)

Question: How do you know your colostrum is being produced? I know that their are chances of you not producing colostrum or breast milk. So how do you know if you are one of those few? Reason I ask is because I've heard you can start leaking colostrum many weeks before you give birth and I am 34 weeks along and have not leaked at all. Does that mean I won't be able to breast feed? I'm pregnant with my first baby so im totally new to this. Any advice?

Answer: Colostrum developes arround month 3 of pregnancy, you can see leakage any time after this, however it can not be expressed untill after delivery, your milk comes in approximately 3 days after giving birth. The more you breastfeed or pump the more mild you will produce, also if you are feeding or pumping at a consistant rate, say every three hours you will produce more

Question: What stage before labor do cats get colostrum in? How much longer does my cat have if her colostrum leaked from her teat last night for the first time? She was due over 2 weeks ago but the vet doesn't want to induce in case we were off on her due date. So once colostrum comes in how much longer could it take for labor?

Answer: Cats usually produce milk 2 days before the birth so her waters should break very soon it will either dribble out or come out in one go in a sack, and then her labour will begin so check her tummy for any movement as it will be the kittens turning over ready for the birth and the start of labour.

Question: When in pregnancy do you breasts usually fill in and start producing early milk and colostrum? Hi! I was just wondering when I should expect my breasts to leak and produce colostrum? I'm 24 weeks pregnant and my breasts are only slightly bigger than they were before. What do you guys think?

Answer: Hello, Depending on whether this is your first pregnancy or second and so on. makes a difference. However every woman, and every pregnancy is different. Usually with the first child, somewhere around 20-30 weeks at the most. however if this is not your first pregnancy, it can be as early as 12-16 weeks. Good luck with everything, Sincerely, Lanora

Question: How long after you produce colostrum do you go into labor? I was reading on a website that to get the right kind of nipple stimulation to use your breast pump. So I did and both breast I got colostrum from after about 30 seconds of pumping. Does it mean anything or is it just wishful thinking on my part?

Answer: Wishful thinking. Some women produce colostrum at 7 months pregnancy. There is no relation between when you produce it and when you go into labor.

Question: a little confused about colostrum and feeding your baby right after birth? so im leaking a little colostrum, not very much though. i know your milk comes in a couple of days after delivery and you basically just feed your baby colostrum till then. my question is, since you can feed your baby really soon after delivery, does your body produce more or is it the same amount as what leaks pre-delivery? cause it dosent seem like im producing much. just curious as to how that works? thanks!

Answer: A little more is produced, because of the way the baby sucks right after delivery. Don't worry that it seems like it is not enough, your breasts are preparing at the moment, not nourishing. If you are worried you can stimulate your nipples every day to start to get your supply up a little, but either way you will be fine. There will be enough to nourish your baby until your milk comes in. The more you put your baby to your breast post delivery, the quicker your milk will come in, and the faster your uterus will start to contract to it's normal size.

Question: When do women normally start leaking colostrum? I went to the doctor last week and he said he thinks I'm six weeks along. But last night I realized that I already started leaking colostrum? Could my doctor be off?

Answer: do you have any kids? because this is my 3rd and ive been leaking colostrum since around 16 weeks or so. it may have something to do with if youve ever breastfed before, or it could just depend on the person.