Mom Life,  Pregnancy

Guide to Collecting Colostrum Before Baby’s Arrival: Why and How

June 29, 2023 /

This post is not medical advice. You should contact your medical provider before choosing to collect colostrum before baby’s arrival. This post also contains affiliate links. When you purchase from affiliate links, I earn a commission at no addition cost to you.

As moms we want what’s best for our newborns. As a first-time mom myself, I am particularly intrigued with ways in which I can ease my breastfeeding journey toward success. One such way is to express colostrum before the baby arrives. You may be wondering how to do this and why to do this. I plan on giving you all the deets in this post!

The Importance of Colostrum

Colostrum or “liquid gold” as it is sometimes referred, is the first milk a mother produces for their baby. It is much thicker than the breastmilk we think of, and it’s packed full of nutrients. Even mothers who don’t plan on breastfeeding are often encouraged to at least feed their baby colostrum because the health benefits are second to none. It’s easy to digest, helps build baby’s immunity, and is packed with protein and vitamins. It is a myth that expressing colostrum before baby is born means that you won’t produce more once baby arrives.

Why Collect Colostrum Before Birth

There are many reasons why a mother might want to collect colostrum before baby is born. It can be beneficial to babies with expected low birth weights, if the mom has gestational diabetes and blood sugar is a concern, if baby is jaundice, and more! Do you have to have a medical problem for colostrum collection to be beneficial to your baby? Of course not! I want to have it on hand in case I am unable to breastfeed right away due to medical complications and as an extra source of food for my baby so their weight doesn’t drop too significantly after birth. I personally do not want to supplement with formula, so this is a big reason why I want to bring colostrum with me to the hospital.

You may be wondering when you can start colostrum collecting, and the answer is going to vary based on you and your provider’s thoughts. I am not going to give you a timeline here, so definitely talk to your doctor or medical provider about it. I am planning to collect colostrum beginning at 39 weeks since there is a risk that it can start contractions.

How to Collect Colostrum: Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Wash Your Hands: Always start by washing your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap. This is important to prevent any bacteria from coming into contact with the colostrum.
  2. Find a Comfortable Spot: Sit or stand in a comfortable, relaxed position. Some women find that warmth can help with the expression process, so you might want to do this in a warm room or after a warm shower.
  3. Massage Your Breasts: Gently massage your breasts in a circular motion, working from the outside towards the nipple. This can stimulate the production and flow of colostrum.
  4. Position Your Hand: Make a “C” shape with your hand and position it on your breast so that your thumb is above the nipple and your first few fingers are below it. Your hand should be approximately 1-1.5 inches away from your nipple.
  5. Apply Pressure: Without moving your fingers around the breast, gently press back towards your chest wall, then compress (or squeeze) your fingers together and then release. This process should not cause pain. If it does, try adjusting your hand position or the amount of pressure you are applying.
  6. Collect the Colostrum: Once the colostrum starts to flow, collect it by allowing it to drop off your nipple into a clean collection container. You can use a sterile syringe, spoon, or small container. Be patient, as it can take a while to collect a significant amount of colostrum. Haakaa makes a colostrum collecting kit that can be useful.
  7. Switch Breasts: After a few minutes, switch to the other breast and repeat the process. Switching between breasts can help stimulate production.

Remember, the amount of colostrum produced varies for every woman, so don’t be discouraged if you’re only able to express a small amount. Even a few drops are beneficial for your baby. Always consult with your healthcare provider or a lactation consultant if you have any concerns or difficulties with this process.

Storing and Using Expressed Colostrum

It is also important to remember that ensuring the safe collection and storage of colostrum is important to your baby’s health. Always start by washing your hands thoroughly. Collect colostrum in clean, sterilized containers or syringes. Store expressed colostrum immediately in the fridge or freezer to maintain its quality, keeping in mind that it can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Label each container or syringe with the date of collection to use the oldest first. Always consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice. If you are bringing colostrum to the hospital or birthing center with you, be sure to bring it on ice and inform the staff that you have it. They will help you store it for future use.

When it comes to thawing and using frozen colostrum, it should be done slowly to preserve all its beneficial properties. Move the frozen colostrum to the refrigerator for gradual thawing overnight. Avoid using a microwave for this purpose as it can create hot spots and destroy some of the colostrum’s beneficial components. Once thawed, gently swirl the container to mix in any separated components but avoid vigorous shaking.

It’s essential to remember some key points when feeding colostrum to your baby. Colostrum should be at room temperature or slightly warm but never hot. If you need to warm it, place the container in a bowl of warm (not hot) water. The hospital staff, if you plan to deliver at a hospital, can help you with this. Also, remember never to refreeze thawed colostrum. Any colostrum that the baby does not finish within one to two hours of being warmed should be discarded to prevent bacterial growth.

Let’s Connect

I hope you enjoyed this article and find that it helps you have strong mental and emotional health during pregnancy. I love connecting with my readers. Please reach out on Instagram and follow along for real-time momming & parenting tips.

You may also like the following article: Mental Health Tips for Pregnancy

71 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Verified by MonsterInsights