Colostrum Harvesting Kit & Free Hypnobirthing Script

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If you do not think anyone will be able to collect your colostrum for you once you have had your baby, you can bring it in when you come to hospital in labour. Colostrum is the first breast milk which your body starts to produce during pregnancy, it is the optimal source of nutrition for your new born baby because it: Conclusions: In well-controlled diabetic mothers, the incidence of early hypoglycaemia in infants is still high, particularly in those mothers who had a longer duration of diabetes. Cord blood glucose level did not identify the infants with hypoglycaemia.

Step 11. Refrigerate or freeze your colostrum. Use a Tupperware box or a suitable freezer bag to store your colostrum.You’ll be able to express colostrum for your baby if he has difficulty feeding or is cared for in the neonatal intensive care or special care baby unit. The importance of exclusive breastfeeding for all babies has been well-established by scientific research. It is important for a mother to discuss her plans to express antenatally with her healthcare provider. It may not be recommended in some instances. Colostrum can be expressed from about week 37 of pregnancy. It has become common practice in the NHS for women to be offered antenatal colostrum harvesting. Some local trusts supply kits for colostrum collection. The kits are also available to buy online.

The oxytocin hormone released when expressing, stimulates the uterus. Opinions differ on whether expressing colostrum antenatally is likely to induce labour. Those who advocate it do not believe that expressing would constitute sufficient stimulation to start labour. Sex while pregnant and breastfeeding through pregnancy both release oxytocin and both are generally considered safe while pregnant. If you experience any cramping in your uterus however, you should stop expressing and discuss your choice with your healthcare provider. Gently massage your breast tissue for a minute or two, stroking from the top and sides toward your nipple to encourage the letdown reflex. Cows’ milk (the main ingredient of formula) is also thought to trigger diabetes in some babies – especially if a parent has diabetes, therefore it is advisable to avoid formula milk if possible. Thinking about colostrum harvesting? If you're keen to learn more about colostrum harvesting and give it a go, we've answered all your questions, from the advantages of harvesting to exactly how to do it. What are the pros and cons of colostrum harvesting? It can also come in handy if you’re ever engorged and don’t have your pump nearby. It can help supplement breastfeeding if you need itThe intended use of the device is not for directly feeding the colostrum to babies. The cap must always be removed before use. Healthcare professional advice should be sought for guidance on feeding the collected colostrum to the baby. If you wish to harvest colostrum ready for birth, then speak with your diabetes team and breastfeeding specialists and if they are unaware, then explain the benefits and reasons why. As long as they have space in a freezer for your colostrum to be stored during your labour, then there should be no reason why you can’t harvest. Colostrum is called “liquid gold” for a reason. Here are some of the reasons why it may be beneficial to harvest. It might help you produce milk

If your baby is unable to maintain its blood glucose levels and/or it is unable to feed at the breast then you can feed your baby using the colostrum you have harvested. Formula will raise blood sugar levels, however, research suggests that breastfeeding colostrum has a better effect on raising blood sugar levels than formula: Some Mums may find they leak colostrum, others will need to express to extract colostrum from the breast. Results: Eighteen (47%) infants developed hypoglycaemia (blood glucose level less than 2 mmol/L) during the first 2 h of life. There was no difference in the cord blood glucose levels between infants with or without hypoglycaemia (3.7 ± 1.1 vs 4.5 ± 1.1 mmol/L, respectively). Infants of mothers with diabetes diagnosed prior to 28 weeks gestation were at a higher risk of developing hypoglycaemia (8 of 10 vs 10 of 28, OR 7.2, 95%CI 1.3–40.7). Hypoglycaemic infants were of significantly higher birthweight, and were more likely to be born to Caucasian mothers and by Caesarean section. Raised maternal fructosamine blood level, the need for insulin treatment or the infant’s haematocrit were not different between infants with or without hypoglycaemia.

after a few attempts you should start to see colostrum gather at the nipple end, which you can collect in a plastic syringe Neonatal hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels) is the biggest post-birth complication we see in our support group, even when the mother’s blood sugar levels have been well controlled. It also contains the perfect balance of proteins, fats and micronutrients needed for human babies as well as acting as a laxative to help the passing of the first tarry meconium stools. Here is a video to demonstrate how to hand express, but please note that the recommendations around freezing are different in the UK. Sterile syringes are the preferred way to store harvested colostrum – this can easily be given straight into the baby’s mouth when required. These should then be clearly marked with your name and date Colostrum is very concentrated. At birth, a baby’s stomach is about the size of a marble, so they will only need a small amount of colostrum to receive all the nutrients they need. Why do I need to think about colostrum harvesting?