In reading the posts re: fibrous or unsually firm nipples and areola - i
was reminded about two women seen (at separate times) during the last
five years. Each had difficulty latching new borns (1 to 2 days of age).
i too, tried the expression of colostrum but with these women it did not
work well. I then  was faced with the regular practice of the hospital -
feed ABM - if the babies did not *eat* _so_ using an electric pump
*vacuum extracted* the colostrum, planning to use a p syringe at the
breast as a Jump Start.

The interesting part was the consistancy of the colostrum. It was like
egg white. Very viscous, clear and stringy. Has anyone else seen this?

After this was removed - plopped in the bottom of bottle by pump about 2
ml - the babies did ok. and the colostrum was *normal* looking after
that. As i recall the *jump* wasn't needed then. Breast tissue was more
compressable and the babies latched and could manage the colostrum on
their own.

Paula Bermingham, IBCLC