Colostrum “harvesting”- sounds intense doesn’t it?! It can be however, it has many benefits as well!
1. What is it?
✨Using hands to express/collect colostrum in the last 2-3 weeks of pregnancy.
2. Is it safe?
‼️ Must be approved by your OB/midwife & only after 37 weeks of gestation for those NOT at risk for premature labor ‼️
3. Is it necessary?
✨No. After birth, your body is 💯 percent capable of producing milk for you baby (unless there are serious complications).
4. So why do it?
✨It can be used in place of formula especially for:
⁃ Infants born with low blood sugar levels (ie. More common when mother has gestational diabetes)
⁃ Babies who need supplementation due to latching difficulties, slow weight gain, jaundice etc.
✨It has been shown to help milk “come in” quicker & has a positive effect on overall supply weeks after birth.
✨Helps parents learn their breast anatomy & practice hand expression.
Have you tried to collect colostrum prenatally? Drop a 💦 in the comments if so!
#colostrum #liquidgold #breastfeeding #handexpression #gestationaldiabetes #increasingmilksupply
As I was saying 🤪, breastfeeding - is hard work - Breastfeeding while maintaining a job is REALLY hard work 😓 ✨To all my breastfeeding working mamas, I 👏🏾SEE 👏🏾YOU👏🏾!!! But remember, this not only benefits the parent & baby, SOCIETY benefits too! Think…. ✨ longer breastfeeding ➡️ less illness ➡️ lower medical costs & more productive employees! So…How can you support a breastfeeding colleague/coworker? ✨ respect their time & boundaries when it comes to taking breaks. They need adequate, PEACEFUL time to pump! ✨ if you are in a position to designate a pumping area, make it close & convenient to their work area so they aren’t wasting time walking to and from (ofcourse there are many other criteria’s you must meet by law!) ✨ ASK what would be helpful to them! Is it more flexibility? A change in meeting times? A mini fridge? Bring baby to work? ✨ We don’t need your opinions on staying home full time, working full time, working part time, why were are “still” breastfeeding. None of that! Trust me, we have contemplated everything so 🛑 Do your part so we can do ours! #wbw2023 #worldbreastfeedingweek #workingmoms #workingparents
Your boob Sis is in auntie mode y’all!
I PAINS me to see how many women/ families are uninformed about how pregnancy complications, breast and/or nipple shape or even “routine” birth interventions can impact breastmilk production and babys ability to latch well.
If I had a magic wand, I would make prenatal lactation consultation’s mandatory for EVERYONE.
It would honestly save so many parents from stress and anxiety, reduce the unnecessary need to supplement and promote a healthy breastfeeding journey!
I’m done 🤦🏾♀️
#lactation #breastfeeding #blackibclc #seattleibclc #breastfeedingspecialist #postpartum #pregnancy #newmom #lactationeducation #blackwomenbreastfeed #feedingbaby #breastfeedingmama #pumpingmama #blackmoms #birth #parenting