How to Conserve Colostrum

Colostrum, the first milk that a woman produces, contains a large quantity of immune properties for the new infant. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics providing colostrum to a newborn is effective in reducing the risk of illness and chronic disease and promotes brain development. According to the Centers for Disease Control more than 75% of new mothers choose to feed their infant colostrum in the first days postpartum.

Instructions

Express Colostrum Using Baby

1




Sore nipples can result if baby does not maintain a wide open mouth while nursing.

Place the baby at breast height with his whole body turned to face you.

2

Align thebaby's nose with your nipple and touch your nipple to his upper lip.

3

When the baby opens his mouth wide as if yawning bring the baby onto the breast. The baby's sucking will express the colostrum.

4

Express Colostrum With a Pump

5

Select a high-quality pump. The most efficient type for the extraction of colostrum is a hospital grade double-sided pump.

6

Place the flanges, also called breastshields, onto each breast simultaneously with the nipple centered in the tunnel of the flange.

7

Turn the pump on at the lowest suction level available.

8

Slowly turn the suction level up assessing your comfort. Do not increase suction level to the point of discomfort.

9

Continue pumping until the flow of colostrum slows.

Storing Expressed Colostrum

10

Collect expressed colostrum in containers intended for breastmilk storage. These may include breastmilk bags or bottles that come with the pump.

11

Label the storage container with the date of expression. If more than one expression is combined into a bottle use the date of the first expression. This will serve as your reminder of its "use by" date.

12

Place colostrum in the refrigerator or freezer unless you plan to feed it to the infant infant quickly. For healthy full-term infants colostrum can be stored at room temperature for 6 to 8 hours. Alternatively, colostrum can be refrigerated for five days. Colostrum may be kept frozen for three to six months.

13

Warm colostrum under running water before feeding to an infant to thaw or heat.