ANTENATAL COLOSTRUM HARVESTING

Antenatal colostrum harvesting refers to the practice of collecting the first milk produced by a mother, called colostrum, during pregnancy and storing it for future use if needed. Colostrum is considered to be the optimal nutrition for newborns. This is because colostrum is rich in antibodies, which helps to provide newborns with a strong immunity and helps to protect them from various diseases.

Collecting colostrum from 36 weeks of pregnancy is done through hand expressing, a simple technique where the mother manually stimulates her breasts to express the colostrum. This can easily be done at home. It is advised to consult with your midwife or doctor before starting colostrum harvesting.

Storing the colostrum for future use can help to ensure that no matter what your baby will receive the optimal nutrition, even in case of difficulties with breastfeeding or if the mother is unable to produce enough milk. It provides peace of mind for the mother, encourages early initiation of breastfeeding, and lays the foundation for a strong and healthy future.

Antenatal Colostrum Harvesting Kit for Pregnancy – Safe, Sterile, Easy Collection Kit for Expecting Mothers

PLEASE NOTE

  • Breastfeeding frequently in the early days after birth is important for establishing and building a mother's milk supply, as it stimulates milk production. The more a baby nurses, the more milk the mother's body produces.

  • Breastfeeding provides many benefits beyond just nutrition, including promoting bonding between mother and baby and helping to regulate the baby's body temperature and breathing

  • While colostrum is very important for a newborn's health, harvesting should not replace breastfeeding

  • If a mother collects extra colostrum that is not needed, it's important to celebrate the success of establishing breastfeeding. This is a significant achievement and the benefits of breastfeeding for both mother and baby should be recognised.

  • In cases where harvested colostrum is needed, it's crucial to remember that it should not replace skilled breastfeeding support.

  • Colostrum harvested during pregnancy may not indicate the mother's ability to produce breast milk after birth. Milk production depends on how often the baby is breastfed and how effectively the baby removes milk from the breast.

  • Every drop of human milk, including colostrum, is valuable, even if a mother chooses not to breastfeed or is unable to breastfeed after giving birth. Colostrum harvesting may still be an option, as it can provide essential immune support and other benefits to the baby.

I would like to hear from our community about the positive impact harvesting colostrum has had on your journey into parenthood. Please leave a message below, all data collected will remain anonymous.