Harvesting Colostrum: Antenatal and Postnatal Colostrum Collection

    Harvesting colostrum both antenatally (before birth) and postnatally (after delivery) is a great way to prepare for the unexpected.  Sometimes birth plans do not go to plan and having this liquid gold at your disposal in case of emergency is always a plus especially since colostrum is essential as baby's first immunization, highly concentrated in antibodies and nutrition to boost your baby's immune system.  In addition, if feedings are slow to start, colostrum can maintain your baby's blood sugar levels.  

A colostrum collection kit makes it easy to have the things you need on hand.  While using a breast pump can sometimes cause contractions, a more gentle hand expression is not only safer but more effective in saving every drop. While there are several methods of hand expression found online, research shows that the Marmet Technique is still the most effective so we have included the full instruction sheet below. 

Once you have begun hand expression, start by using the smaller 3ml syringe in the colostrum collection kit to draw up the colostrum direction off the nipple and areola.  If you use a breast pump, it is harder to get the sticky colostrum off the pump parts and valves.  After you have harvested the colostrum, place the syringe(s) into a freezer bag or breast milk storage bag so that you can safely keep them in the freezer.  Babies only need a teaspoon of colostrum per feeding initially so the 5ml syringes included are perfect for feeding. Postnatally, more volume of colostrum may be collected so you may want to express into the 50ml container included in the kit as you can also use the syringes to draw from the container for feeding. 

The Liquid Gold Colostrum Collection Kit includes:

(6) individually wrapped sterile 3ml syringes with caps

(6) individually wrapped sterile 5ml syringes with caps

(1) 50ml/2oz colostrum container with lid (non-sterile - sterilize before use)

If you have additional transitional milk which is a higher volume of colostrum as the mature milk is coming in, there are 10ml syringes, 50ml minifil bottles and 60ml colostrum containers with lids also available to purchase.

Happy Harvesting!

Tanya

How to Use a Baby Feeding Syringe for Breastfeeding

It is recommended that breastfed infants are fed exclusive of a bottle for at least 6-8 weeks while learning to breastfeed.  Bottle feeding greatly changes the way the infant sucks and their expectations for immediate gratification while feeding.  Feeding from a bottle provides immediate gratification because bottle drips even when sucking does not occur.  This causes the infant to thrust their tongue to the end of the nipple or to arch their tongue to collapse the nipple on the roof of their mouth to control the flow.There are several methods of supplementing a newborn with breast milk during the early days.  For short term feeding solution, we recommend finger feeding with a syringe.  This method is tried and true and can be learned by both parents and baby in a matter of minutes.

Instructions:

Wash your hands.

Sit with your feet on a stool or anywhere you can raise your knees.

Place the baby in your lap facing you so they are in a reclined with their head above their body.

Draw the breastmilk into the syringe from an open container.  This can be done with one hand once you learn to pull the plunger up with your thumb.

Allow the baby to suck on the index finger of your non-dominant hand.  Your finger should be in far enough that the infant's tongue is attempting to draw it in with a peristaltic wave motion.  If Dad is feeding and has large fingers, he may want to turn his hand and use his pinky finger.

Using your dominant hand, place the syringe full of breast milk in the corner of the baby's mouth.

Wait 30-60 seconds before tapping the plunger so that the baby understands that they need to suck before the milk lets down when they return to the breast.

Tap the plunger every 3 sucks, but not every suck so they establish a breastfeeding pattern of suck, suck swallow.

Remember that a newborn's stomach is the size of a cherry when they are born so during the first few days, the teaspoons of colostrum are all that is necessary.

If there is a reason to syringe feed beyond day 5, refer to the infant feeding chart for ounces needed.  A 10 cc or 10 ml baby feeding syringe is 1/3 of an ounce so it is easy to know that re-filling this syringe 3 times is 1 ounce.

Attempt burping after 1-3 times of re-filling the syringe.  If the baby is spitting up or taking the milk too quickly, burping is a good way to slow the feeding and eliminate excess air.

Syringes are an inexpensive way to supplement a newborn without interfering with breastfeeding.  This lactation aid may be a tool you will want to have in your arsenal in case your baby has latch or suck difficulties such as the ones that can arise from tongue tie.  A sleepy  baby can also become more lively if breast milk is supplemented correctly so they will have enough energy to stay awake at the breast.


Best wishes for a bottle-free start to breastfeeding!
Tanya