thread: Colostrum Question??

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Mar 2007
    6,900

    Colostrum Question??

    Since I've been pregnant my milk supply has gone down a lot. But DD is still having 3-4 feeds a day and I haven't noticed any change in her, she still loves BF and I don't think she'll be giving it up any time soon.

    In the past couple of weeks I was thinking she might be teething or have an upset tummy or something because her nappies have been a bit gross. Then something someone else said made me remember that this can happen when you get colostrum. So I tried to squeeze some out and clear liquid came out. I can get some out any time, even after a long (20min) feed! Since becoming pregnant I've barely been able to squeeze out a drop when I've tried to check and see how much is there. So there must be a fair bit of colostrum there.

    When DD was born I remember the colostrum being thick and yellowy stuff. So I was just wondering what the difference is between that and this clear stuff before the baby is born?? I assume it's still good for DD but it just seems like water! Was curious as to what's actually in it and what she's getting out of it if anyone knows????

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Mar 2007
    6,900


  3. #3
    BellyBelly Member

    Nov 2004
    VIC
    1,794

    i am no expert, but at the moment the milk you would be making would be suited to your DD requirements. Your milk wont change to suit the baby until you deliver the placenta- that is the trigger for it to change to the needs of a newborn. The change to watery type milk would be because that is what DD requires at the moment!!
    More for thirst and less for food source! HTH mwah

  4. #4
    BellyBelly Member

    Jul 2006
    1,069

    I would be thinking it's colostrum..but I have no idea really!

    Sounds like you are doing a fab job feeding your two babies heaven! xx

  5. #5
    Life Subscriber

    Jul 2006
    Brisbane
    6,683

    Heaven, that does sound colostrum. When you are still feeding an older child, your milk will change to colostrum at some time in the second half (usually, sometimes earlier) of the pregnancy. This is still great for your DD so there is no problem, but many mums do find that the poos go back to being more new born like when they are getting the colostrum again.

    I am not sure why it is clearer during pg than after the birth. I guess it's just like breastmilk in that the composition is always changing and it becomes more concentrated after the birth.

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Mar 2007
    6,900

    Thanks guys! At least she's getting something. There seems to be a lot more now than before the colostrum came and I swear I just felt a let down before, so weird.