Prenatal Colostrum Harvesting
There is a lot of internet buzz about the benefits of prenatal colostrum harvesting. This is the practice of expressing colostrum (baby’s first milk) from the breasts during the late 3rd trimester, either by hand or using a pump, and freezing it to feed to their baby after birth. Many expecting parents are feeling pressure to add this to their “to-do list” while preparing for baby’s arrival. Colostrum harvesting is a personal choice. It is certainly not a necessary step in establishing lactation and breastfeeding.
To help you determine if this practice is right for you, let’s look at what the benefits are… and equally important – what they are NOT!
Let’s start with what harvesting colostrum prenatally will NOT do. It will not increase the likelihood that you will produce enough mature breast milk for your baby postpartum. While most women have the potential to produce and maintain a full supply of breast milk for their babies, there are many factors that contribute to actual breastfeeding outcomes. There is no evidence of a relationship between prenatal colostrum expression and postpartum mature milk production volumes. If you are pregnant and worried that you will not produce enough breast milk for your baby, the best use of your time waiting for baby’s arrival would be a prenatal consultation with an IBCLC. Together we can determine if you have any risk factors for low milk supply and devise a plan accordingly.
Then why do some people choose to harvest colostrum during pregnancy? In the past, this was recommended when delivery complications are expected with concerns of mother and baby being separated after birth OR if baby is expected to have a medical condition indicating the need for “alternative feeding methods.” A good example is a baby born to a mother with gestational diabetes. These babies are at risk for hypoglycemia and will be monitored after birth. In this case, with your physician’s approval, it may be beneficial to collect small amounts of colostrum and freeze them to offer to your baby, typically after the 37th week of pregnancy. In the event of neonatal hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), supplementation is medically indicated. Mother’s colostrum/ milk is the preferred source, but formula and/ or glucose may be used when necessary. While mom can express colostrum on-the-spot, it may be reassuring to collect some ahead of time to avoid artificial supplements. If you are wondering whether or not prenatal colostrum harvesting is recommended for your specific circumstances, a prenatal consultation with an IBCLC will help you answer that question. Together we will review your personal health history through pregnancy and discuss your birthing plan to determine any risk factors that could impact breastfeeding, which will help you decide if it’s right for you.
What if my baby cannot nurse immediately after delivery for unexpected reasons? As long as your post-delivery health status is good, you can express colostrum on-the-spot. On the first day of life, colostrum feedings are very small in volume; think teaspoons, not ounces (2-10 ML per feeding). There is never a need to create a large “stash” of colostrum as you may see on social media. A pregnant mother will start producing colostrum around the 16th week of pregnancy and will continue to produce it for the first handful of days postpartum. In short, the colostrum is available when it’s needed.
Okay, so if my baby isn’t latching well and I want to express colostrum postpartum, how do I do that? The best way to express colostrum is manually, which is known as “hand expression.” This is because colostrum is much thicker than mature milk. If a pump is used to express colostrum, which is typically produced prenatally in small amounts, much of the colostrum can be lost within the parts. Using hand expression, the colostrum can be collected in a small, open cup (medicine cup), then easily stored in a small syringe with a storage capacity of 1 to 10 ML. Hand expression is a very useful technique for breastfeeding moms for all sorts of reasons. Pregnancy is a great time to familiarize yourself with this technique. “The how, when and why of hand expression” can and should be part of your prenatal consultation with an IBCLC.
So if I choose prenatally harvest colostrum, should I use hand expression rather than an electric pump? YES! Hand expression is the preferred method of prenatal colostrum harvesting for the same reasons. Also, another good reason to choose hand expression for prenatal colostrum harvesting is to avoid any risk of premature labor. More studies are needed to determine if intense nipple stimulation from electric pumps can cause preterm labor. For now, it’s best to be cautious and avoid prolonged electric pumping during pregnancy.
More questions about colostrum? Message me! I love to chat about all things breastfeeding. -Laura Fellows, IBCLC