Colostrum harvesting

Please ask your midwife about antenatal colostrum harvesting.  There are many reasons why you might choose to do this, regardless of your feeding goals.

It is of particular benefit where your baby is at risk of having low blood sugars after birth for instance, if you are diabetic or taking certain medications. 

Your midwife will give you a pack with all you need to get started and explain when it is safe to do so. 

• Colostrum is the first milk produced by your body.  This starts in pregnancy as your body prepares for the birth of your baby.
• It is a sticky fluid that is clear to yellow in colour and contains the same ingredients as mature milk, but in quantities tailored to your newborn. 
• Often referred to as “liquid gold” colostrum has high levels of antibodies, to protect your baby from infection once they are outside the womb.
• It acts to coat and seal a baby’s gut preventing infection and helps avoid allergic sensitisation to formula milk by acting as a primer to the digestive system.
• Colostrum also acts like a laxative that helps your baby pass their first poo, meconium.
• Colostrum is harvested using hand expression. This is a useful skill if you are planning to give your baby your milk after birth as some babies can be slow to get started with feeding and, as well as having some antenatal colostrum stored to use, you will be more familiar with the method of hand expressing which will help to establish a milk supply and keep your baby fed whilst they get the hang of feeding.

We don’t advise hand expressing before 37 weeks, as there is a small risk of triggering labour in mothers at risk of preterm birth, but colostrum is even more important for sick and premature babies as they are more at risk from the dangerous gut condition necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). 

We will offer you the opportunity to hand express for your premature baby soon after birth. 

This takes a short time and will have many benefits for your baby. The sooner after birth the better for this, but your milk supply will respond best to this within the first hour if that is possible.

Hand Expressing Colostrum in Pregnancy             

There are many benefits to collecting your colostrum in pregnancy.  It is a great skill to help get breastfeeding off to a good start, and can be useful to have some colostrum to hand if your baby needs it when they are born.  

What is Colostrum?

Colostrum is a thick, sticky yellowish fluid that is easily digested, making it an ideal first feed. It is very concentrated and is filled with antibodies that protect your baby from infection. Colostrum also contains protein, fat soluble vitamins and minerals. As it is highly concentrated it comes in small volumes and helps to protect your baby from dehydration.  It has a laxative effect, which helps your baby to pass his first “poo” (black, tarry meconium). Why harvest colostrum?

Having colostrum available for your baby at birth is always helpful but may be of particular benefit in these situations:

• Expecting more than one baby.
• Previous problems with breastfeeding.
• Insufficient glandular tissue.
• Polycystic Ovarian Disease.
• Women who have undergone breast surgery.
• Women with high blood pressure and mothers taking Labetalol (beta blockers).
• Elective Caesarean section.
• Early inductions of labour.
• Your baby is expected to be small for dates.
• You are overdue.
• Your baby has been diagnosed with a cleft lip/palate.
• A family history of cow’s milk sensitivity.

Having some colostrum readily available will reduce the need to use formula if your baby needs a feed and you haven’t had the chance to get breastfeeding going yet.  

When can I start harvesting colostrum?

From 37 weeks of pregnancy. We do not recommend hand expressing before 37 weeks because there is a risk that it may stimulate the start of labour.

DO NOT hand express in pregnancy if you are at risk of preterm labour.

How do I hand express?

Wash your hands thoroughly. 

• Have a clean sterilised cup/syringe to use before you start.
• Start by gently massaging the breast, working towards the nipple
• Make a “C” shape with your finger and thumb and cup the breast with your thumb above and your finger below the nipple.   
• Feel back from your nipple 2-3cm.squeeze thumb and finger together, exerting gentle pressure, it may take some time before any colostrum appears, and even then it may take a few squeezes before you have a large enough droplet to collect.
• Think of the breast like a clock face starting with thumb on 12 and finger on 6, then move around to 1 and 7 and so on.
• When the flow slows change to the other breast.
• If there are no signs of milk at all try moving your fingers closer or further from the nipple until you find the right spot. 
• Label the syringe with your surname, date and time of expressing, Colostrum can be kept in the fridge at home for 6 days, or in the hospital fridge for 48hrs or frozen for 3 months. If bringing in from your home freezer, mark with date it was taken out of the freezer. (Defrosted milk must be used once thawed) Transport to hospital in a cool bag with ice packs and ask staff to store for you.  

Useful links, leaflets and video

• Colostrum harvesting video and leaflet 
• Storage information
• Demonstration video breastfeeding
• Benefits of colostrum for sick or Preterm babies