What Is Colostrum?

Colostrum is the first drops of breastmilk that is released by the mammary glands after giving birth. The colostrum can be collected even before the infant is born, as the production of colostrum starts ahead of birth. The colostrum milk is usually thick and yellow, very different to milk in later stages of breast feeding. The color of the colostrum can vary, and it may also appear a brown-ish color, as well as transparent. The colostrum usually comes in small quantities, and small drops will flow from the nipples when you hand milk.

Colostrum drops are rich in nutrients. They contain immune substances that strengthens the infants immune system - which can help prevent infections. The milk is high in protein and low in fat and sugar. It's filled with white blood cells that produce antibodies. Colostrum contributes to the maturation of the infants intestine.

Any amount of colostrum that you collect, however small, is extremely beneficial to your baby.

What´s the difference between breast milk and colostrum?

Colostrum has x2 higher protein than breast milk, x4 more zinc, and is lower in fat and sugar so it's easier for the infant to digest. Colostrum turns into milk after approximately three or four days.

Collection of colostrum before birth.

You can collect drops of colostrum before the baby is born, by hand milking the breast. There are many benefits by collecting colostrum before birth - for instance, if you have diabetes (gestational or pre-existing), if your body mass index (BMI) is above 30, if you have high blood pressure, problems with your thyroid, planned caesarean birth, or if the mother is being induced. All of which either causes a later start to the breast milk production, or having a baby that requires extra nutrition after birth.

There are many good resources showing how to hand milk and what to take into consideration before starting. You should always speak to a nurse, midwife or obstetrician before starting collecting colostrum. It´s very important not to start collecting any sooner than 36/37 weeks of pregnancy, as there is a small chance that trying before this time might stimulate pre-term labour, which can be dangerous for your baby.

Colostrum is collected by a syringe with a blunt end, a small cup, or by using Anue Pipette. It´s the same pipette used for milk testing sample - but sold separately, and to serve a different purpose. The pipette is small, and by squeezing the pipette between your fingers and holding it on your nipple, it creates a vacuum that helps suck out colostrum from the nipple. Here is an illustrated explanation on how to hand milk using Anue Pipette.

Step by step collection of colostrum through hand milking using Anue Pipette.

Anue Pipette Kit can be ordered by clicking here.

Sources: southtees.nhs.uk, my.clevelandclinic.org, webmd.com