Colostrum is the first milk produced by mums. It is known as liquid gold due to the incredibly potent immune properties. In this post we look at the properties of colostrum in more detail and provide an overview of when and how to collect colostrum.
What is colostrum?
Colostrum is the first breast milk produced by mums. It is different to later breast milk in its composition, appearance and consistency. Breasts can begin producing colostrum as early as in the first gestation of pregnancy.
Colostrum has a higher protein content than mature breast milk and slightly lower concentrations of carbohydrates, fats and water. It tends to be thick and sticky and is usually a yellow or straw-like colour, although these properties can vary between women.
Colostrum is incredibly rich in immune boosting components, for many of these compounds they are significantly more concentrated in colostrum compared to later breast milk. These include:
- Antibodies
- Immune proteins
- Growth factors
- Hormones
Why harvest colostrum?
For the first few days post birth your breasts do not produce large volumes of milk. Trusting that the low volumes baby receives at this stage can be difficult, especially considering the alternative is often to offer baby much larger volumes of formula. However, as noted above, colostrum is a different substance to other milk and is perfectly adequate to meet young babies needs.
Having a surplus of colostrum during these days can provide a welcome comfort for when you need some extra support, especially if breastfeeding is challenging, or you / baby are experiencing pain or health concerns. It can also be given to further boost and support baby if they are unwell or if breastfeeding is impacted in later stages.
A recent systematic review found that harvesting colostrum antenatally was associated with greater breastfeeding durations for women with diabetes. They also noted some qualitative themes that suggest colostrum collection can help women physically and psychologically prepare for breastfeeding. Another intervention study found that most women who were encouraged to try colostrum harvesting in pregnancy benefitted by having increased confidence in and commitment to breastfeeding. Some studies have found positive associations between colostrum harvesting in pregnancy and breastfeeding outcomes, both anecdotally and statistically while others have failed to report significant differences or clear correlations.
When to collect colostrum?
Despite colostrum being produced from quite early in pregnancy, it is not advisable to attempt to express and collect colostrum until you reach full term.
Most sources advise that it is safe to harvest colostrum from 37 weeks gestation onwards. Colostrum harvesting may not be safe for those at risk of pre-term labour, or those with complications such as low-lying placenta or pregnancy related bleeding. Always discuss colostrum collection with your midwife or doctor first.
Colostrum harvesting requires stimulation of the breast and nipple before using expression techniques to initiate the let-down reflex (with hand or pump). This process triggers the release of hormones, including oxytocin, which are also involved in the opening of the cervix during labour. Colostrum harvesting too early can induce these bodily responses which may lead to early labour and therefore timing is extremely important to ensure mum and baby’s safety.
If deemed safe, after 37 weeks colostrum can be collected as often as desired before birth and for the few days after birth. Around 3-4 days after birth, changes within the breast occur that lead to a change in breast milk composition. Colostrum will become transitional, and then later, mature breast milk.
How to collect colostrum?
As mentioned above, you can collect colostrum by using hand expression or breast pumping techniques.
It is often advised to use hand expression for colostrum harvesting as it is released in very small amounts, therefore using your hands and a small container such as a syringe or mini pot works best.
It can take time and/or repeated attempts to collect colostrum, especially when doing so fro the first time. Be patient, try to remain relaxed and seek support from your midwife or lactation consultant if you are struggling.
Follow the steps below to have a go at colostrum harvesting yourself:
- Wash your hands before you begin and make sure you have an appropriate collection container to hand which is clean and sterile. Syringes or small pots with lids work well. There are many colostrum kits available online that come with handy containers and labels.
- Ensure you are warm and comfortable, with enough space, time and privacy before beginning.
- It will be helpful if you can take the time to warm and stimulate your breasts beforehand, some suggest taking a warm shower (the release of oxytocin that triggers let-down is encouraged by relaxation and gentle stimulation techniques).
- If hand expressing, start by creating a C shape with your thumb and fingers.
- Beginning at the nipple, feel back until you notice a change in your breast texture (the area around the nipple should feel soft, as you go further back you will notice harder, fuller and more textured breast tissue).
- Place your hand (in the C shape) on the breast where it feels hard. Press your fingers and thumb into your breast firmly (towards your chest), then squeeze the breast between your fingers and thumb gently for a couple of seconds. Release and repeat this process until you feel or see some drops forming on your nipple.
- Repeat the process above, changing the position of your hand to ensure you stimulate the whole circumference of the breast equally.
- You may only collect a couple mls of colostrum, this is completely normal as it is not produced in large quantities.
- Label your collection container with the date and store in your fridge or freezer. It is safe refrigerated for up to 4 days and safe to freeze for up to 6 months.
References
Ablett, L. H., Hopper, H., & Maslin, S. (2023). How to promote exclusive breastfeeding with antenatal milk expression and implementation science: A mixed methods systematic review. Health Sciences Review, 9, 100124. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hsr.2023.100124
Demirci, J. R., Glasser, M., Fichner, J., Caplan, E., & Himes, K. P. (2019). “It gave me so much confidence”: First-time U.S. mothers’ experiences with antenatal milk expression. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 15(4), e12824. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12824
