Pregnancy is such a magical time as you prepare for the arrival of your baby! You might have heard about collecting colostrum during pregnancy to get ready to breastfeed.

Harvesting colostrum beforehand is not a must, but there are definitely some benefits in doing so! 

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Disclaimer: You should wait until you’re at least 37 weeks pregnant to try harvesting colostrum and you should get your doctor’s approval before you begin.

So, what’s so great about colostrum?

Colostrum (kuh-loss-trum) is the MVP milk you make before your regular milk shows up a few days after your baby is born.

You start making it during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, and it's loaded with things that keep your baby healthy. It's got immunoglobins that act like a shield against sickness and probiotics that make their tummy happy.

This milk may be tiny in amount, but it's loaded with goodies like antibodies, white blood cells, and vitamins. Imagine it as a powerful health boost for your baby right from the start! 

Colostrum has double the protein, but it's lower in fat and sugar compared to regular milk. That makes it a breeze for your little one's tummy to handle.

Note: Expressing colostrum during pregnancy will not increase or decrease your milk supply after baby is born.

Benefits of colostrum harvesting

Speeds up Milk Production: Reduces the time it takes for milk production to start after birth.

Boosts Confidence: Helps moms feel more confident about breastfeeding.

Backup Plan: If baby struggles to latch, collected colostrum is a lifesaver to feed them.

Latching Aid: Makes it easier for the baby to latch onto the breast.

Immunity Boost: Even if not breastfeeding, it gives the baby an immunity boost.

Stabilizes Blood Sugar: Helps regulate the baby's blood sugar levels after birth.

Learn About Milk Production: Helps moms understand their breasts and milk expression.

Peace of Mind: Useful in case of issues like jaundice, latching problems, or NICU care.

Master Hand Expression: Helps moms become experts at hand expressing milk.

Jaundice Support: Can lower bilirubin levels in jaundiced babies.

Create a Mini-Stash: You can use it later, during sickness, or even donate it.

Who Can benefit from antenatal colostrum collection?

Women WHO HAVE:

• Gestational, type 1 or type 2 diabetes

• A history of low milk supply

• Twin or triplet pregnancies

• Breast hypoplasia

• Prior breast surgery

• A planned cesarean birth

• A prescription for beta-blockers

• Knowledge that they’ll be separated from baby after birth

• Preeclampsia during pregnancy

• Suspicion their baby will be in the NICU after birth

• Hormonal disorders (ex: PCOS, hypothyroidism, etc)

• High body mass indexes

• A baby who has cleft lip or palate

• High blood pressure

• Previous unhappy breastfeeding experiences

Ready to start harvesting colostrum?

Simply collect your colostrum with a 1ml syringe, label it, and freeze your syringes for baby’s arrival.

Get a pack of 1 oz. syringes from Amazon!

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Related article: 17 Genius Colostrum Harvesting Tips