What is Colostrum Harvesting?
Happy Parents. Happy Baby’s lactation consultant Jasmine outlines what colostrum harvesting is and why is can be useful in the days before your baby’s birth and those first few days after.
What is colostrum?
Colostrum is the thick, sticky base product of breast milk that your body produces during pregnancy and in the first few days after your baby’s birth. It is usually a see-through yellow colour although this can vary from woman to woman. Although the quantity of it is usually small, it contains everything your baby needs in the first few days including proteins, fats and antibodies and it will help stabilise your baby’s blood glucose (sugar) levels.
A newborn baby’s stomach is tiny so even a very small amount of colostrum will make a huge difference.
What is colostrum harvesting?
This is when you collect colostrum before or after your baby is born. There is not a huge amount of evidence to support this technique before 36 weeks gestation unless medically advised, for example if you are expecting twins and an earlier birth is expected.
Collecting colostrum can be a positive way to increase confidence about lactation and how to handle lactating breasts. Having a small supply of colostrum before baby arrives also may be helpful for some individuals and reduce the anxieties in the early days about breastfeeding and milk production.
Colostrum harvesting may be recommended if you have gestational diabetes, are expecting twins or are having a caesarean section. Being able to hand express may also be useful if your baby needs special care after the birth and is unable to feed from your breast.
In rare instances colostrum harvesting may stimulate contractions. If this happens you need to stop and wait until your baby is born.
What is hand expressing?
Hand expressing is an important skill to be familiar with if you are choosing to breastfeed your baby. It may help you clear blocked ducts or ease overfull breasts if your baby is struggling to latch in the early days or even later on. It can also help if you have an oversupply of milk and want to collect some of the foremilk in a muslin before you feed your baby.
As always, check with your midwife or medical team if you are a high risk mother as there may be contraindications in your own journey.
Using a pump is not advised at this point because the volume of colostrum being collected is so small and using your hands is much more gentle.
What do I need?
• 1ml syringes or a sterile small pot with a lid - you can ask your midwife for these
• Hand expressing technique
• Labels for syringes
• Information of safe storage of breastmilk
• Patience and practice
How do I hand express?
Always wash your hands before expressing. Many lactation consultants and midwives suggest spending a few minutes massaging the breasts, including the nipple prior to expressing. This can be done with the tips of your fingers or stroking from the top of the breast towards the nipple. You can also use a warm compress which can help with the flow.
Using your fingertips measure from the base of the nipple a 2-3 finger space away. The C-shape will give you a good base to start. Gently compress the breast and try out different pressures. You may need to move you hands closer or further away from the nipple if you do not see any milk. It should not hurt.
Colostrum can appear like droplets of milk or just like syrup so you may not see anything for a few minutes. If your milk starts to come this can be collected too but remember you will not be receiving very much. Once the flow stops you can then move onto the other breast.
It is more than likely that for the first few attempts you may not be able to express any colostrum. This is normal so try not to get frustrated. It may take a few days before you are getting full droplets. If you are finding it too stressful then stop. Having a store of colostrum before your baby is born is a bonus but definitely not a necessity. Not being able to express colostrum does not indicate future problems with feeding.
When should I express?
You can start hand expressing from 37 weeks. Some mothers put aside a time when they are relaxed to do this once a day.
How should I store it?
Once you have collected the colostrum in a syringe or sterile container you can label it with the amount and date and freeze it. Start a new syringe or container every 24 hours. The NHS says you can safely freeze it for six months at -18 degrees. If you don’t have access to a freezer you can keep it at room temperature for six hours or in the fridge for up to 8 days at 4 degrees or below or 3–5 days if above 4 degrees or you are uncertain of the temperature.
When you go into labour you can take your colostrum with you to hospital in an insulated bag with a freezer block. Ask the midwives to store it in their fridge or freezer. If it is defrosting in a fridge it must be used within 12 hours. If it is defrosting at room temperature it must be used immediately.
After my baby’s birth:
Your midwife will encourage you to try to latch your baby within the first two hours of the birth. They will be able to help you with positioning and if you are having any problems with latching they will also help you to express as they will want your baby to be feeding regularly in these early hours and days. Always ask for help and take advantage of being in hospital and having experts on hand to answer any queries or concerns.
Where can I find support?
Always consult your midwife or health visitor if you are having any issues with breastfeeding.
You can also get support from the IBCLC which can put you in touch with a lactation consultant who can help with sore nipples, milk supply and other infant feeding issues.
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