My DMs have been flooded with colostrum messages lately; how to, when to, why hand express colostrum while still pregnant and will it increase milk production?
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⚡️How to? I have an IGTV demo explaining exactly how preformed expression and hand placement- check it out!
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⚡️When to express? 36weeks and beyond is generally considered safe to hand express colostrum. Why the hesitation? Hand expression (or any stretching of the nipple) releases Oxytocin which in theory may trigger uterine contractions. This has the potential to induce premature labor.
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⚡️Why hand express colostrum while still pregnant? Practice makes perfect, baby 👏🏼👏🏼. Truly though, there are several reasons to hand express while still pregnant.
✨Practicing and getting to know your body before it’s “game day” can be very beneficial.
✨ Collection of colostrum can help aide feedings if you’re aware of any feeding disadvantages baby may encounter once delivered or if you anticipate separation following delivery.
✨ Putting the gears in motion by opening milk ducts and facilitating the onset of lactation.
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Will antenatal hand expression increase milk supply? Not necessarily, Lactogenisis ll starts production after delivery. With the removal of the placenta and the rapid drop in progesterone, as well as the elevated levels of prolactin; its then we will begin to see copious milk production 2-3 days postpartum.
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📖𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝟯𝟳 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆: Daily antenatal breastmilk expression after 37 completed weeks of pregnancy significantly reduced the time for establishing full breastfeeding and reduced breastfeeding failure.
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Even if you’re not collecting abundant amounts of colostum you’re still prepping your body for what is to come. There are so many positive outcomes associated with antenatal hand expression! Don’t hesitate to bring it up to your provider while approaching week 3️⃣6️⃣!
Effects of Early Removal PubMed study
Click HERE for in real life tutorial how to collect colostrum
