Colostrum Harvesting – 11 Essential Things You Should Know for a Healthy Start

If you’re a new mom or mom-to-be, you may have heard the term “colostrum.” It’s often referred to as “liquid gold” by healthcare professionals because of its incredible benefits for newborn babies. In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of colostrum harvesting, what it is, how to collect and preserve it, and safety considerations.

Colostrum is the first milk your body produces, and it’s packed with essential vitamins, antibodies, and nutrients to give your baby the best possible start in life. It differs from regular breast milk in that it’s thicker in consistency and has a more yellow or golden color. Think of it as a protein bar that keeps your baby full and provides a boost of disease-fighting cells to keep them healthy.

Overall, if you’re considering colostrum harvesting, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider and get their advice on the best approach for you and your baby. With the right guidance and precautions, you can safely collect and store this “liquid gold” to give your little one a healthy start in life.

If you have an interest in colostrum harvesting before your child’s birth, it’s important to know that it develops earlier than regular breast milk. However, it’s advisable that you wait until you’re at least 37 weeks pregnant and get your doctor’s approval before attempting colostrum harvesting.

Contrary to what you may believe, you don’t need a breast pump for colostrum harvesting. Lactation specialists recommend manual expression as the quickest and most effective method. A breast pump can make colostrum collection difficult due to its thick, honey-like consistency.

Additionally, some women may find that their body’s response to a breast pump is not as successful the first few times they use it. Instead, mothers can use a syringe, small cup, or bowl for harvesting colostrum. These methods can be more comfortable and yield better results for those new to collecting colostrum.

Colostrum Collection Techniques

Pros And Cons Of Colostrum Harvesting

Colostrum harvesting has a lot of benefits and some drawbacks. So before you begin harvesting it, consider the advantages and disadvantages. Most women give it a try for the following reasons:

• Colostrum collection can be extremely advantageous if your child is born with a defect such as a cleft lip or palate, Down syndrome, intrauterine development limitation, cardiac issues, or if you have diabetes.

• It encourages milk production. Colostrum harvesting may stimulate the milk ducts, get the colostrum circulating, and make it more accessible. When the time comes, this could make it easier to nurse.

• Colostrum collection aids in the development of hand expression. You can become proficient at harvesting colostrum through hand expression. When you need to express milk quickly, this skill can be useful.

• It provides you with an immediate stash of nutrient-rich food for your baby. Colostrum that has been collected before the baby has even arrived can be consumed almost instantly, regardless of what may happen after delivery. 

• If a baby needs extra milk right after delivery, a mother can keep a small supply on hand. For instance, the baby needs to go to the NICU or has low blood sugar. The following are some things to watch out for when trying to collect colostrum:

Cons

• It could be discouraging. Before giving birth, you may find it difficult to obtain any colostrum at all. Colostrum collection is not always successful. If you are hand-expressing for an extended period, it can hurt or be disappointing if you don’t see much colostrum.

• It might start labor. Nipple stimulation during pregnancy has links to triggering labor, so that is the largest disadvantage of harvesting. Therefore, before attempting it, you should always consult your OB-GYN or midwife. Stop hand-expressing immediately and notify your doctor if you start to have contractions.

Here Are Other Pros And Cons That Come With Collecting Colostrum

• Expectant mothers frequently harvest colostrum to prepare for breastfeeding before the baby is born. Also, it helps mothers of multiples or those whose milk production may stop due to a c-section.

If the baby has any of the following conditions, pregnant moms may also harvest colostrum:

• Whether the baby will be large or small for its gestational age.

• In case of cleft lip or palate in the infant

• If the child is born with Down syndrome or a cardiac ailment.

• Colostrum can also help babies with diabetes maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Positive bacteria abundant in colostrum aid your newborn’s adjustment to the outside world.

• By passing on your immunity to your kid, many nutrients and antibodies in the milk help to strengthen their immune system. Even their first meconium poop is passed because of this substance’s laxative properties. 

When Does The Colostrum Leak Start?

When you are pregnant, the exact moment you begin leaking colostrum is unpredictable. In reality, some women never do, and whether or not you have leaks has no bearing on your capacity to breastfeed.

Some women start leaking colostrum around 20 weeks, while others never do, according to Schooler. Whatever your breastfeeding experience, it doesn’t matter if you leak or not.

Colostrum leakage during pregnancy does not represent how much milk a woman will produce after giving birth.

Do Colostrum Leaks Indicate That Labor Is About To Begin?

You might interpret the presence of colostrum oozing from your nipples as a sign that labor is about to start. Don’t immediately get your hospital bag, even though it may occasionally indicate that labor is about to start.

Hormones during pregnancy tell the breasts to hold the milk in. After delivery, as the placenta separates, these hormones change and tell the breasts to produce more colostrum. As they get closer to giving birth, many women do notice an increase in colostrum leakage.

Colostrum leakage alone, however, does not indicate that labor is about to begin.

What Time Does Colostrum Arrive?

Colostrum production starts during pregnancy, although you might not be able to express it until after delivery. Up to days 3–5 following delivery, on average, women receive colostrum. 

Mothers of premature babies can benefit from colostrum harvesting. As you wait for your breast milk to start flowing, you’ll probably be able to express or nurse colostrum right away after delivery.

What Form Does Colostrum Take?

The color of the colostrum is frequently characterized as thick and yellow or gold. Generally speaking, it has a less creamy and white appearance than the breast milk that appears a few days after your kid is born.

Colostrum can come in a variety of hues, as Silverman points out. It could be orange, creamy, transparent, white, or even yellow. If your colostrum doesn’t exactly appear as you imagined it, don’t be surprised.

Methods For Hand-Expressing Colostrum

If you’ve never made milk by hand before, you might feel a little intimidated, but you’ll soon get the hang of it. You can get hands-on instruction from a lactation consultant if you have access to one. The steps are fairly basic.

• Grab a pristine, spotless container.

• Soak your hands in water and soap.

• Before using a hand express, use warm compresses and massage to soften your breasts.

• In a C-shape, hold your breast between your thumb and the rest of your fingers.

• Gently press your fingers against the inside of your chest, then squeeze your thumb and fingers together – It can take a few attempts for the colostrum to appear.

• With the sterile container, gather the colostrum.

• Do not rush. It could take some time. Take a break from attempting to hand express if you don’t see any colostrum.

How Long Is Colostrum Good For?

Colostrum storage guidelines are identical to those for breast milk storage. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, colostrum can be kept for four hours on a counter, four days in a refrigerator, and six months in a freezer.

Be patient and mindful of your limitations as you learn how to obtain colostrum. Even if you barely receive anything before the birth of your child, you still have a very good chance of receiving it afterward, which is still highly advantageous.

While harvesting is a fantastic option, it is not required, as even a small amount of colostrum is preferable to none.

What Time May Mothers Begin Collecting Their Colostrum?

When you are 36 to 37 weeks pregnant, colostrum harvesting could begin. Nevertheless, some pregnant women could start noticing colostrum leakage as early as week 16.

This can be done by hand expression for a short period once every day, and you can eventually work up to performing it for five to ten minutes.

Once your baby is born, you can use a breast pump to express your breast milk to harvest your colostrum.

Does Collecting Colostrum Hurt?

The procedure for collecting colostrum may be painful for some women, but it shouldn’t be. If hand expression does make you sore, you should try adjusting your finger pressure or location. 

Additionally, a lactation consultant can provide you with professional assistance and direct you toward the most effective methods for collecting colostrum.

How Is Colostrum Obtained?

According to experts, one of the most crucial things to keep in mind is to be kind and patient with oneself. It will get easier with practice to harvest your colostrum, which is a new skill.

Try practicing in a cozy, comfortable setting. Also, consider doing it in the shower or bath.

Follow these instructions to hand-express colostrum:

• Cleanse your hands thoroughly before you begin, and place a warm compress on your breast.

• Sit up straight and check your posture before giving your breast a gentle massage, stroking in the direction of the nipple.

• Cup your breast in the shape of a C, placing your thumb above the nipple and your first few fingers below. After that, begin compressing and releasing repeatedly and rhythmically.

• Colostrum can be extracted from a teaspoon or your nipple using a sterilized 1 ml syringe.

• After that, it should be kept in the same way that breastmilk is kept: up to 8 days at 4 degrees or below in the refrigerator, or up to 6 months in the freezer.

• Don’t be discouraged if you feel you haven’t expressed much colostrum; every drop counts because it is so concentrated. You may only express a few drops or a full teaspoon.

• Consult your midwife before collecting colostrum at all times.

How To Move Your Frozen Colostrum

Your frozen colostrum syringes can be brought to the hospital in a freezer bag with a freezer block or an ice pack. When you need it, it can be defrosted either at room temperature or while running warm water.

To allow attending midwives to be prepared for delivery day, do let them know in advance if you intend to do this. They may also be able to arrange freezer storage for you at the hospital.

Bottom Line

Colostrum is the first milk that your body produces during pregnancy, and collecting it before giving birth has become a common practice for many women. This is particularly useful if a pregnant woman knows her baby may have difficulty feeding or if she wants to practice hand-expressing breast milk.

Collecting colostrum is a great way to provide your newborn with essential nutrients and immunological factors that will help protect them against infection and disease. However, it’s important to note that colostrum collection should be done with caution and under the guidance of a lactation specialist or healthcare provider.

Manual expression is often the preferred method for colostrum collection, as it is more effective than a breast pump due to the thick consistency of colostrum. A syringe, small cup, or bowl can be used to collect the colostrum.

If you’re interested in learning more about colostrum collection and the benefits it can provide for your baby, be sure to consult with a lactation specialist or healthcare provider.