Colostrum is the first breast milk which your body starts to produce during pregnancy, it is the optimal source of nutrition for your new born baby because it:

  • Protects your baby from infection as it contains antibodies
  • Regulates blood glucose levels
  • Optimises bowel movements (assisting to pass the meconium stool – decreasing the risk of jaundice)
  • Is easily digested and helps your baby’s digestive system develop, which protects your baby from allergies

Colostrum is very concentrated.  At birth the baby’s stomach is about the size of a marble, so they will only need a small amount to receive all the nutrients they need.

Colostrum harvesting

During pregnancy your breasts will start to produce colostrum – the timing varies from person to person.  You can collect and freeze this milk from 37 weeks of your pregnancy.  This is known as harvesting colostrum and the advantages of this include

  • Quicker establishment of full lactation
  • Increased confidence in the ability to produce breast milk
  • Gaining familiarity with the breast and the functionality
  • Increased confidence in hand expressing
  • Milk can be stored and given to baby if needed providing the health benefits
  • Artificial fed babies can obtain colostrum as their first feed, benefiting from the advantages

Harvesting colostrum is for ALL women particularly beneficial for women whose babies are more likely to have difficulties with feeding, maintaining their blood glucose levels or are separated for example:

  • Babies who are expected to be small
  • Mothers who are medicated with beta blockers
  • Mothers with Diabetes
  • Planned caesarean section
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome
  • Premature babies
Reasons you will be advised against harvesting your colostrum:
  • You have cervical stitches in place/incompetent cervix.
  • You have had a previous premature labour. (you can start in the hospital after being admitted to have your baby)
  • During this pregnancy you have had any vaginal bleeding, contractions and/or your waters have broken before 37 weeks.
Breastfeeding/fresh breastmilk/colostrum
  • It is ideal to breast feed in the first 1-2 hours after birth
  • If breast feeding is not possible then express within 2 hours to stimulate milk production. If this is not possible, the harvested colostrum can be given.
Harvesting your colostrum
  • From 37 weeks
  • At the time of induction of labour, elective section or admitted in labour
  • Any amount of colostrum between none at all and several millilitres may be collected
  • Start with short periods of time, three times a day, building up to five minutes or so at a time, two to five times a day.  You can also collect any leaking colostrum
  • Hand expressing rather than using a pump is advised
  • You may experience Braxton hicks during expressing which is normal, however is labour like contractions occur, stop expressing.
How to express colostrum by hand
  • Have a clean sterilised purple feeding syringe and cap or small container to  hand before you start.
  • Wash your hands and make yourself comfortable.
  • Cup your breast and place your thumb and finger about 2-3 cm from the base of the nipple.
  • Using your thumb and the rest of your fingers in a C shape, gently squeeze this area – this shouldn’t hurt.

Breast

  • Release the pressure and then repeat again and again, building up a rhythm.  Avoid sliding your fingers over the skin.  At first, only drops may appear, but don’t worry if you don’t obtain any colostrum, just keep going as it will help build up your supply. 
  • When the flow slows down, move your fingers round to try a different section of your breast and repeat.  When this happens again swap to the other breast.  Keep changing breasts until the colostrum stops altogether.
  • If the drops don’t appear at the breast, try moving your fingers slightly towards  the nipple or further away, and try a gentle massage.

Breast

There is a useful video available on line unicef.uk/handexpression

QR breast.PNG

Storing your colostrum at home
  • Label the syringe or container that you have collected the colostrum in with your name, date of birth, unit number and the date/ time of collection.
  • Once labelled put the syringe or container into a clean re-sealable bag or box.
  • It should then be placed and stored in the freezer at -18 degrees celsius.
Transporting the colostrum you have harvested into hospital
  • Transport into hospital 2-3 syringes, further supplies can be brought in as needed, as the priority will be to breast feed or use fresh colostrum.
  • Use a freezer bag and frozen packs to bring your colostrum into hospital, where it will be stored in the freezer compartment of the breast milk fridge on the maternity ward until required.

If you are in hospital prior having your baby and wish to harvest your colostrum whilst you are there, discuss this with the midwife looking after you, they will support you and facilitate this process for you.

Using the colostrum you have harvested to feed your baby
  • If your baby is unable to maintain its blood glucose levels, is unable to feed at the breast or you are both separated; then then you will  be supported with giving your baby the colostrum you have harvested. The maternity team can offer you advice and support giving the colostrum via a syringe or a small cup. 
  • Colostrum should be defrosted at room temperature and given to baby immediately. If it is defrosted in the fridge or on route to the hospital, it should be used within 24 hours.  Defrosted colostrum should NOT be re frozen. 

CAUTION - THE SYRINGE CAPS ARE A CHOKING HAZARD AND SHOULD BE REMOVED BEFORE FEEDING BABY

Useful links

www.unicef.org.uk babyfriendly

www.nct.org.uk

www.abm

www.breastfeeding network       

   

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