Colostrum is the concentrated first milk produced by the breasts, often referred to as “liquid gold” due to its rich, yellowish color and powerful composition. Forming as early as the second trimester, it is packed with antibodies, proteins, and growth factors perfectly suited for a newborn’s delicate system. It provides immediate, concentrated nutrition and helps build the baby’s immune system by coating the gut lining to protect against infection. Collecting this colostrum before birth (antenatal expression) ensures a supply is available if the newborn experiences feeding difficulties or low blood sugar, such as those associated with diabetic pregnancies.
Choosing the Correct Syringe Sizes
The 1 milliliter (ml) syringe is the most recommended size for beginning colostrum collection. Colostrum is thick, and the output per session is often only a few drops, making the narrow barrel of a 1 ml syringe ideal for drawing up these tiny amounts. Newborns need only about 1 to 4 teaspoons in the first 24 hours, so storing colostrum in 1 ml increments minimizes waste. If output increases after several sessions, you can incorporate larger sizes like the 3 ml or 5 ml syringes.
These collection syringes should be sterile and are often provided by a hospital or purchased from pharmacies. Look for oral syringes that come with caps to maintain sterility and safely seal the collected colostrum for storage. The narrow tip of a standard oral syringe makes it easier to collect drops directly from the nipple or draw up the liquid from a small collection cup.
Timing and Safety Considerations
Antenatal colostrum expression should be discussed with a healthcare provider to ensure it is safe for the specific pregnancy. The general recommendation is to begin this practice around 36 or 37 weeks of gestation. This timing is advised because nipple stimulation, which is part of the expression process, causes the release of oxytocin, the hormone responsible for uterine contractions.
The release of oxytocin could theoretically trigger labor. Therefore, women with specific high-risk factors are advised not to express colostrum before birth. Contraindications include a history of preterm labor, having a cervical stitch, placenta previa, or any bleeding during the pregnancy.
If you notice painful or persistent uterine contractions, stop expression immediately and contact your healthcare provider. For women with a low-risk pregnancy, including those with well-controlled diabetes, studies suggest that antenatal expression is safe when started late in gestation. Practicing expression before birth also increases confidence and familiarity with the hand expression technique.
Practical Steps for Collection and Storage
Collection Technique
Begin the collection process by washing your hands thoroughly and finding a comfortable, relaxed environment. Warmth and relaxation can help encourage milk flow. Start with gentle breast massage, stroking the breast from the outer areas toward the nipple for a few minutes to stimulate the milk ejection reflex.
The next step is hand expression, which involves a specific technique:
- Place your thumb and forefinger in a “C” shape about an inch behind the base of the nipple.
- Gently press your fingers back toward the chest wall.
- Compress them together, and release the pressure without sliding your fingers along the skin.
- Repeat this action rhythmically, rotating your fingers around the areola to express milk from all quadrants of the breast.
As drops of colostrum appear on the nipple, collect them directly into the sterile syringe by gently pulling back on the plunger to draw the liquid into the barrel. If collecting directly proves difficult, you can express the drops onto a clean, small spoon or medicine cup and then draw the colostrum into the syringe. Express for a maximum of 10 minutes on each breast, switching sides when the flow slows.
Storage and Thawing
Once the session is complete, cap the syringe immediately, and label it with your name, the date, and the time of collection. Syringes can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, allowing you to add more colostrum from subsequent collection sessions on the same day.
At the end of the day, place the capped, labeled syringe into a sealed plastic bag and transfer it to the freezer, where it can be safely stored for up to six months. When needed, thaw the syringe quickly by holding it under lukewarm water. Never use a microwave, as this destroys the beneficial components of the milk.