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During pregnancy, the breasts produce their first milk, known as colostrum. Colostrum is high in antibodies and protective substances that help to support a newborn baby's immunity. Although not much colostrum is produced, it is very high in energy, protein and fat. Colostrum is also easy for newborns to digest. There can be benefits to expressing and storing colostrum during pregnancy in case it is needed after birth. If there is a risk of premature birth or of your baby having feeding problems, the person providing your maternity care may recommend you express and store some colostrum. What is colostrum?Colostrum is a type of early breast milk, produced by the breasts from around 20 weeks of pregnancy until the first few days after birth. Colostrum is a thick, sticky, yellowish liquid. It can leak from the breasts onto the nipples and cause yellow crusts to form. Sometimes colostrum leaks and absorbent nursing pads need to be worn. When does colostrum appear?Many pregnant women notice they are producing colostrum earlier than 20 weeks, especially if they’ve been pregnant before. It’s not always obvious that colostrum is being produced until the woman checks. What are the benefits of expressing colostrum in pregnancy?There are several benefits from expressing during pregnancy, including:
Why might there be a low supply of breast milk?Sometimes there are reasons why a mother’s breasts do not produce as much milk as their baby needs. Storing a small supply of colostrum means the baby can have access to extra kilojoules. These reasons include:
Are there any reasons not to express colostrum during pregnancy?Not all women are keen or able to breastfeed. Some choose to express colostrum and offer this as well as formula after their baby is born. Although there are benefits in expressing colostrum during pregnancy, there are times when it’s not recommended. There is a risk of premature labour by stimulating the breasts. Don’t express your breasts if you:
When and how to express your colostrumPick a time when you’re relaxed and feeling calm.
Aim to express 2 to 3 times each day from around 36 weeks of pregnancy. Start gently and slowly, eventually building up to 3 to 5 minutes of expressing on each breast twice each day. How to store colostrum
Top 5 tips for expressing colostrum
Who can I speak to for advice on expressing colostrum?The person who is providing your maternity care — such as your doctor or midwife — will be able to give you more advice about what’s right for you. Some pregnancy-related conditions increase the risk of premature labour and it’s important not to express colostrum if you’re at risk of having your baby early. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. Last reviewed: July 2021 Need more information?
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