Antenatal Expressing. Heard of it?

Mothers start to produce colostrum (early milk) while pregnant. Being able to express colostrum is a useful skill to have. Saving you expressed colostrum may also be beneficial if your baby is likely to need special care after birth.

Breastmilk is a complete and perfect food for your baby. If the unexpected happens and you and your baby are separated, or if your baby has feeding difficulties or health problems, you will find it easier to express your milk for your baby if you have practised beforehand.

So, What is Antenatal Expressing?

It is a technique which involves expressing colostrum in the final few weeks of pregnancy. It can also be referred to as 'colostrum harvesting' and is something your midwife may discuss with you closer to your birth. Mothers are normally advised to wait until around 36 weeks before starting antenatal expression.

How and When do I do it?

Antenatally, you'll only need to express for three to five minutes—just until you have a few drops of colostrum. It may not seem very much, but a baby's first feed is no more than a teaspoon of colostrum. By expressing up to three times in a day, you can express enough for a feed.

To hand express first you will need clean hands and a sterile cup or spoon to collect it into. Also, having a syringe near by to collect the colostrum from the cup or spoon is important and can be given to you by your midwife.

You will start by holding your breast, in a 'c' position with you thumb on the top and edge of your areola and fingers on the bottom, also on the edge of your areola. You can start by gently massaging your breast to help soften and stimulate your breast and then pushing backwards, to the gently squeeze forwards into the cup or spoon. Here is a great visual for you to look at.

Repeat for three to five minutes, might be while you are in the shower to start with, the heat and steam help to open and soften the breast. Collect colostrum in the syringe and store in freezer.

Also, fun fact, colostrum can be stored at room temperature for up to four hours. It can remain in a refrigerator for up to four days. And you can store colostrum in the freezer for up to six months (for best quality) or 12 months, at most. Something to keep in mind for when baby arrives!

Hope that has helped you to get an understanding as to what antenatal expressing is, when you can start, how to do it and storing your colostrum. If you have any questions regarding antenatal expressing be sure to discuss them with your midwife!

Happy Expressing!

Love,

Thrive Mama x