Colostrum Harvesting

WHAT IS IT AND HOW CAN IT HELP?

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Everything you need to know about Colostrum Harvesting.

If you’re expecting a baby, you might have come across the term colostrum harvesting. While it may sound more like a farming term than something you need to know as a new parent, it is actually a good way of laying a strong foundation for your breastfeeding journey.

WHAT IS COLOSTRUM HARVESTING?

The name may sound a little intimidating but all it means is collecting a store of the precious first milk your body produces for your newborn, which is known as colostrum. You can start expressing small amounts of colostrum in the late stages of pregnancy so you will already have a ready supply to give to your baby when they are born.

Colostrum can be frozen so you can start hand expressing it before your baby’s arrival.

WHAT IS COLOSTRUM?

Colostrum is the very first milk your body produces for your baby. It is designed to meet the needs of a newborn with a very tiny stomach so it is thicker and more nutrient-dense than the breastmilk you will produce when your baby is a little older. Colostrum doesn’t look like milk, instead it is sticky and yellow and your breasts produce it in smallerquantities. Often referred to as liquid gold, even tiny amounts of colostrum will give your baby the calories, nutrition and infection-busting antibodies they need for the first few days of life.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF COLOSTRUM HARVESTING?

The decision on whether or not to express colostrum and store it during pregnancy is a personal choice. There are a number of benefits to colostrum harvesting, including offering peace of mind to new mums as they know they have a supply of first milk to fall back on so they can be sure their little one is getting enough.

HOW DO YOU EXPRESS COLOSTRUM?

When you are pregnant, you should only express colostrum by hand. Do not use a breast pump, either manual or electric, until after your baby has been born.

Start gradually and initially, just try expressing for a few minutes once a day. You can then increase how much you express to up to three times a day if you wish as you get nearer to delivery.

It is important to make sure you are calm and relaxed before you try expressing. If you are tense or stressed, you will struggle to get your milk flowing.

However, having a supply of expressed colostrum in the fridge or freezer can be really helpful if you need to be separated from your baby after delivery for whatever reason. Medical staff will try to keep you with your newborn as much as possible but separating mothers and babies is sometimes necessary if one or both of you need additional care or treatment. If this does happen, knowing you have some of your colostrum which can be given to your baby when you’re not there to breastfeed in person will be a weight off your mind. If your baby is likely to experience feeding issues due to a medical issue like a heart condition, Down’s Syndrome or a cleft lip or palate, having a stock of colostrum can be extremely helpful. Colostrum is also very good at helping newborns to maintain their blood sugar level and fight off infection so can really help babies who are either bigger or smaller than their gestational stage. Some women also find that starting to hand express colostrum during pregnancy helps them to understand how their breasts work, making breastfeeding easier for them after their baby is born. Being able to express a small amount of colostrum onto your nipple can be useful in guiding your newborn onto your breast and encouraging them to feed – something which is really beneficial if your baby seems sleepy and reluctant to latch on after a tiring delivery.

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER COLOSTRUM HARVESTING?

You doctor or midwife might suggest you try colostrum harvesting during the last few weeks of pregnancy if you are expecting more than one baby, are scheduled to have an elective c-section or they anticipate your baby could have difficulties breastfeeding due to a medical condition or disability. It may also be a good idea if you have a high BMI, have diabetes or you take beta blockers to control your blood pressure. Expectant mothers who have undergone surgery on their breasts or who have hypoplasia – limited development of breast tissue – are also recommended to try collecting colostrum during pregnancy if they are able to.

WHEN CAN I START COLOSTRUM HARVESTING?

You can start expressing your colostrum when you are about 36 weeks pregnant unless you have been advised to start earlier by a medical professional. Your body starts producing colostrum during the second trimester of pregnancy, sometimes as early as 12 weeks, but there is no need to start harvesting until much nearer to your baby’s expected due date. If you are considering starting expressing before 36 weeks, please ask your midwife for advice first.

Hold your hand in a c-shape around your nipple and use your thumb and index finger to gently but firmly squeeze. Try to establish a regular rhythm – it can take a while before you see any colostrum so be patient.

Any colostrum you produce is likely to be in a very small quantity so don’t feel frustrated if you don’t seem to express very much at all. Use a small syringe to collect what you do produce – simply place it over the liquid and draw the plunger back.

Move your hand around your breast so you stimulate all the milk ducts. Think about it like working your way around the face of a clock.

Pace yourself and stop if you feel sore or uncomfortable. It is likely to feel slow-going at first so try not to get frustrated. Adding a warm cloth to your breast before you start or expressing in the bath can help get your milk flowing.

Make sure you label any syringes which contain colostrum and add the date you expressed it before you store in the fridge or freezer. Expressed colostrum can be kept in the fridge for up to 2-3 days and the freezer for up to six months.

HOW MUCH COLOSTRUM DO I NEED TO COLLECT BEFORE BIRTH?

As your body only produces small amounts of colostrum at a time, it can be a challenge to collect much. Don’t worry, even a few drops of this liquid gold are extremely valuable and full of everything your baby needs for their first few feeds. Some women may also find they are unable to express any colostrum during pregnancy. This is completely normal and does not mean that you will experience difficulties with breastfeeding.

SHOULD HARVESTING COLOSTRUM BE PAINFUL?

Hand expressing should not be painful, although it can seem slowgoing. If your nipples are very tender and sensitive during pregnancy, you might find it uncomfortable but stop if your discomfort is replaced by pain. Relaxing as much as you can and making sure you are somewhere warm will help with the process. And remember there is plenty of support out there. Our Infant Feeding antenatal class can teach you everything you need to know about feeding your newborn, including colostrum harvesting, breastfeeding and bottlefeeding.