Colostrum Harvesting Kit & Free Hypnobirthing Script

Product Information

Hand expressing is advised for antenatal colostrum harvesting. Hand expressing is when you use your hand to massage and squeeze the breast to extract colostrum as the guide above explains. Your baby will need to breastfeed at least 8-12 times in 24 hours. If, for any reason, you are separated or unable to breastfeed your colostrum can be defrosted if needed, one container at a time to avoid waste. Your colostrum can also be used if your baby needs supplements. The first few days If hand expressing does cause soreness, you should try changing the pressure or position of your fingers. You can also get expert help from a Lactation Consultant who can help guide you through the best practice of colostrum harvesting.” How do you harvest colostrum? All Syringes have easy to read measuring markers, making it easy to see how much Colostrum you have collected.

Breast pumps should be used with caution antenatally due to the expression being stronger than with hand expressing. If you decide to use a breast pump then use it sensibly and stop expressing if you notice any tightenings or contractions. Storing colostrum In this analysis of the experiences of women with diabetes in pregnancy, women were motivated to collect and store colostrum by wariness of medicalisation and an underlying desire to provide the best start for their babies and avoid unnecessary interventions such as formula. These motivating factors, however, also contributed to an ongoing and often overwhelming pressure to obtain colostrum, associated with considerable guilt and distress when they had difficulties with the process. This pressure also drove women to develop personal strategies to regain control in the context of their pregnancy complicated by diabetes. Women were able to adjust to frustrations associated with expressing and ultimately develop biopsychosocial fortitude for motherhood. Colostrum is the first breast milk your body makes. It is the perfect source of nutrition for your baby because it:This technique involves expressing colostrum in the final few weeks of pregnancy. It can also be referred to as ‘colostrum harvesting’ and is advocated by some NHS Trusts. Have breast hypoplasia (a condition in which the breast does not fully develop) or you have had breast surgery.

I knew very early that I’d be having a (caesarean section). So should’ve anything happen there was that (colostrum) there. (GDM, 30s)

Most colostrum harvesting kits consist of multiple syringes and caps, cloths and a user guide,” says Leila. “Some also come with a storage bag or cup.” Provide your own milk for your baby to prevent or treat conditions such as low blood sugar or jaundice. If the milk doesn’t flow, try moving your fingers slightly towards the nipple or further away, and try a gentle breast massage.

Many babies born to diabetic mothers can have low blood sugar levels after birth putting them at risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia and jaundice.

It heartbreaking actually because they ended up having to put in drips and things to stabilise it [BGL]. (GDM, 40s) You are likely to see small droplets or drips of colostrum appear as you express. Express directly into the container so you save every precious drop. If you’ve been given syringes and find it difficult to collect your colostrum, express into a small clean container (e.g. cup) and draw the colostrum up into the syringe. Using your thumb and the rest of your fingers in a C shape, gently squeeze this area. It shouldn’t hurt. You are disappointed with yourself that you couldn’t get it but next time you got heaps … swings and roundabouts. (GDM, 40s)