C is for Colostrum
What is colostrum?
During pregnancy your breasts will start to produce breast milk. The first breast milk your body makes is known as colostrum. It's often a golden/yellowy colour, really thick and viscous and produced in small amounts - through each drop is packed with good stuff for your baby.
Colostrum is amazing, it...
~ contains vital immunological properties and helps to colonise the baby’s gut with healthy bacteria that protect against allergy and disease.
~contains the perfect balance of proteins, fats and micronutrients needed for human babies
~ contains antibodies which protect your baby from infection and help their immune system to develop
~ helps your baby’s digestive system to develop
~ acts as a laxative to help the passing of the first tarry meconium stools, which reduces their risk of jaundice
What is antenatal colostrum harvesting?
Because the colostrum starts to be produced in pregnancy you can hand express and store (freeze) some colostrum it before baby arrives.
Why do this?
For some mothers it can be a useful back-up to have ready, and can mean there's less stress about getting breastfeeding established immediately after birth.
It can help reduce the chance of needing formula supplementation.
This used to only be suggested for families who knew their baby might have challenges with blood sugar or feeding after birth, for example gestational diabetes, or cleft lip. But now, it's generally accepted that anyone that wishes to can express and store colostrum in pregnancy (cotraindications below).
Don't worry the colostrum gets replaced, so there's no concerns about 'using it up' before the baby arrives. It also doesn't cause the next stage of lactation (milk coming in), as the placenta needs to be born before this can happen.
Here’s a little video about how to express colostrum
But why is it worth doing?
Firstly, it can be a great way of familiarising yourself with your anatomy, and how to hand express. Hand expressing can be really helpful to know how to do once baby arrives.
But also, it can be hard to predict which babies might need extra support with feeding and their blood sugar after birth, so it's great to know you have some colostrum stored in case you need it.
Do I need to do it?
Nope, absolutely not. It’s your choice if you feel it may be helpful to you and your baby or not.
Are there any downsides to doing it?
Some people feel by doing it then they are anticipating a problems with breastfeeding which may not be there. After all it's not something physiological in the body that we would collect it before birth.
And also some people try it and don't manage to collect any colostrum. This is NOT in any way an indicator or your ability to breastfeeding - this so important to know! But it can stress out some folks for this reason. Speak to your midwife for reassurance on this too.
How?
First you'll need to get hold of some syringes with caps so that they can be sealed, and some labels to put on them once used. Ask your midwife for these, or triage at your maternity unit if you visit. They are FREE - there's no need to buy these syringes. Do not waste £20 on buying these! This is ridiculous to charge so much
1) Wash your hands.
2) Do some gentle breast massage, anything you like really, but whatever you do should be comfortable and warm. This is more about getting relaxed and comfortable than moving the colostrum.
3) Now make a C shape with your thumb and first two fingers. Feel back from your nipple until you feel a change; a firmer, lumpy texture. This is the spot you'll be compressing.
4) Using the C shape you've created, compress for a couple of seconds in a firm but comfortable way and then release for a couple of seconds.
5) Repeat. Build up this slow, steady rhythm without dragging the skin or causing discomfort. It can take a bit of time for the colostrum to come, or you may need to move your C shape back or forward ever so slightly until you 'hit the spot'.
Some people find a gentle roll forward with your fingers can be useful. Others may find pushing back a little toward the chest wall before compressing helpful.
There are ducts all the way around the breast so once you've finished the first spot you can move your C shape then release for a couple of seconds.
Colostrum is often a yellowy/golden colour, but may be clear too. All are normal.
You may get no colostrum at all, or just get a glistening of it on the nipple, or you may get drops coming out. Anything is normal!
If you don't get any or much colostrum at this point it does NOT mean you will have a low milk supply for your baby.
6) Any syringes with colostrum in need to be labelled with your name and the date, capped and put into a clean box in the freezer. Make sure the box is deep in the freezer.
The more you practise the more likely you are to get some colostrum to store. But again DO NOT worry if you get none / very little.
Remember, any discomfort at any time or any concerns at all please stop.
When should I do it?
Usually suggested from around 36 weeks. But please speak to your midwife first about your own individual circumstances, especially if you know you're more likely to give birth early, for example having twins or other multiples. It's important to speak to your midwife first, and if you are at risk of a pre-term labour or have a low lying placenta or cervical stitch then it may not be recommended to do colostrum harvesting antenatally.
You can do it 2 or 3 times a day for a few minutes at a time. Stop immediately if you have any discomfort or experience tummy pain.
You can do it wherever you like, but the key is finding somewhere you feel relaxed and comfortable can really help. So a private relaxed space, often women find in the bath is good. You'll also need to have access to somewhere you can wash your hands, and have a freezer for storage.
Storing colostrum
Colostrum can be collected two to three times each day in the same syringe. You will need to store the syringe in the fridge between uses.
At the end of the collecting day, the colostrum can be frozen – place the syringe into a zip-lock bag before putting into the freezer. Label the syringe and bag (separately) with the date and time of when you expressed.
The frozen colostrum can be stored for up to six months in the freezer. Once thawed, it should be used within 24 hours.
They can be stored for 6 months, so even if you don't use them in the first few days, you can use them later down the line. (Some people like to think of it as a little immune booster!)
Transporting your frozen colostrum
You can take syringes of frozen colostrum into hospital/birth centre using a freezer block and insulated bag. The colostrum can be defrosted under a running warm tap or at room temperature.
It’s a good idea to mention your colostrum stores on your birth plan and make sure staff are aware in advance of your wishes in certain situations. The hospital may have access to a freezer for storage once you arrive.
After the birth, if your baby is experiencing difficulties with breastfeeding at this time, you may be encouraged to express some fresh colostrum to give to your baby. You may also use any colostrum you have brought into hospital/birth centre with you in preference to using any formula.
If harvested colostrum ends up being ‘wasted’ because you are able to establish early exclusive breastfeeding, this is a cause for celebration rather than commiseration!
I hope that’s helpful and reassuring. There’s more information on feeding your baby on my Fourth Trimester Online course Don’t forget you get this course for FREE when you come on my Antenatal & Hypnobirthing Course too
Susan x