Your colostrum should be defrosted from the freezer at room temperature and given to your baby as required. Once defrosted it should not be re-frozen and used within 24 hrs. The midwife looking after you can offer you advice and support regarding feeding your baby with a syringe or small cup. Your midwife will show you how to feed your baby with a syringe or a small cup. Having a small feed will give your baby energy and increase their blood sugar levels. It often encourages babies to breastfeed well. Even if your baby does not require the milk for blood glucose levels it is still worth giving small amounts so that none is wasted. I have heard that nipple stimulation can bring on labour is this true? Colostrum harvesting should start from when you are around 36 weeks pregnant. “Although some women may notice their breasts leak colostrum as early as week 16 of their pregnancy,” says Leila.

Collect the colostrum into a clean container, like a syringe (1ml or 2ml syringe). If nothing happens, adjust your finger position slightly to find the spot that works for you. Try not to pinch your nipple or slide your fingers uncomfortably over the skin. Please be aware that if it is a false alarm and you are sent home your milk may have defrosted and it will not be safe to freeze it again, Milk will only last for 24 hours in the fridge once defrosted. It may be beneficial to bring milk FOLLOWING delivery if possible). Feeding your baby with colostrum In a survey Gestational Diabetes UK ran in 2016, from 1,308 answers 77% (1,005 ladies) were not happy with the information and support giving around colostrum harvesting at their hospitalConsider expressing the day before birth so your milk is available if you and your baby are separated. This will be especially useful if your baby will be born early. Things that can be done to help control babies born to diabetic mothers’ blood glucose levels after birth According to the NHS, there is no evidence that hand expression of colostrum can trigger labour for women who are not known to be at risk of premature labour. sterile syringes are best for collecting colostrum which can be bought in pharmacies or online. We find 1ml the best as each syringe can be defrosted and used without any wastage.

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? Hand expression is a useful technique to learn even though most mothers find they rarely need to express and store their milk. It is effective, convenient and free. You may also find you can express more milk by combining hand expression with pumping than using just a pump. When to start expressing Is it safe? The expressing of colostrum in the final few weeks of pregnancy. This practice is advocated by some NHS Trusts although you are advised to wait until around 36 weeks before starting to harvest. For some mothers, it can be a useful tool that helps ensure their baby will start life without the need for formula supplementation. Step 2: Make sure you are comfortable (leaning slightly forward whilst seated is common) and then gently massage your breast, stroking towards the nipple.Mothers are normally advised to wait until around 36 weeks before starting antenatal expression. Mums who are having multiple births may sometimes start sooner as giving birth earlier is more likely. Don’t let your hard work and efforts go to waste! Make sure your colostrum is stored correctly until you need it.

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. after a few attempts you should start to see colostrum gather at the nipple end, which you can collect in a plastic syringe 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. Some people have medical conditions or need to start taking medications after birth that would make breastfeeding or chestfeeding impossible in the long term. But if you harvest your colostrum, your baby can get some of the benefits of colostrum in the short term, such as increased immunity.There are specific reporting arrangements for healthcare professionals to follow in each of region. Healthcare professionals should report incidents: Babies don’t have strong immune systems when they’re born, which is why colostrum can be so beneficial. It’s loaded with antibodies, white blood cells, and other immunity-boosting compounds to keep newborns from getting an infection, illness, or disease. I knew very early that I’d be having a (caesarean section). So should’ve anything happen there was that (colostrum) there. (GDM, 30s) I remember him (obstetrician) going ‘Calm down he’ll be fine’ I’m like, ‘I’m freaking out, I don’t have any colostrum!’ (GDM, 20s) 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 it

Some Mums may find they leak colostrum, others will need to express to extract colostrum from the breast. It helps promote milk production. “Harvesting colostrum can activate the milk ducts and get the colostrum moving and be more readily available,” Silverman notes. This might make it easier to nurse when the time comes. Diabetes mellitus is a common problem that affects more than 13% of pregnant women in Australia. 1 Diabetes in pregnancy includes both gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and pre-existing diabetes (type I diabetes mellitus or type II diabetes mellitus). Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with multiple risks to the newborn including macrosomia, shoulder dystocia, polycythaemia, hyperbilirubinaemia and neonatal hypoglycaemia. 2 Hypoglycaemia is a significant problem as it is associated with cardiorespiratory disturbances, damage to the central nervous system and developmental delay. 3 4 Approximately 6% of Australian neonates experience hypoglycaemia; however, this rate is greatly increased in infants born to mothers with diabetes with 25%–50% of newborns affected. 5 The mainstay of management of infants at risk of hypoglycaemia is early breastfeeding and top-up feeding with colostrum or formula. 6

Use your thumb and index finger to gently squeeze. Release the pressure and then repeat to create a rhythm. This should not hurt.