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Antenatal expressing is expressing colostrum in the final few weeks of pregnancy.

It is advised for mothers to wait until around 37 weeks before starting antenatal expression. Mothers who are having multiple births may sometimes start sooner as giving birth earlier is more likely.

For some mothers, it can be a useful tool that helps ensure their baby will start life without the need for formula supplementation. The importance of exclusive breastfeeding for all babies has been well-established by scientific research.

Colostrum contains vital immunological properties and helps to colonise the baby's gut with healthy bacteria that protect against allergy and disease.

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.

Some babies may experience difficulties with feeding or maintaining their blood sugar levels during the first few days after birth and therefore may require supplementary feeds.

These include babies

whose mother had diabetes in pregnancy or who have a history of diabetes.

with a cleft lip or palate identified during pregnancy.

with congenital conditions e.g. Down syndrome or cardiac complications.

diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction.

whose mother is taking beta blockers to control high blood pressure.

who are twins or triplets.

Where there is a family history of cow's milk protein sensitivity or type 1 diabetes, families may be particularly keen to avoid the use of early formula supplementation.

There are also reasons why women may need to consider supplementing their baby's feeds. These include women

who have a breast hypoplasia (limited breast development).

who have had previous breast surgery.

A mother should discuss her plans to express antenatally with her healthcare provider. It may not be recommended if you've been at risk of preterm labour in previous pregnancies.

It is preferable to express antenatally by hand rather than use an electric or manual breast pump. This is because colostrum will be produced in quite small quantities and can easily stick to the bottles or pump parts and be harder to collect.

If you hand express and use a syringe to draw up the individual drips of colostrum, you can use these syringes for storage prior to birth.
How to hand express
Always wash your hands before expressing.

Applying a warm compress to your breast or expressing after a warm bath or shower can help the flow of colostrum.

Get yourself comfortable. Perhaps seated and leaning slightly forward but find what works best for you.

Start with a gentle breast massage, stroking from the back of your breast towards the nipple to facilitate the let-down reflex.

Put your thumb above the nipple and your first few fingers below the nipple. You will be cupping the breast in a 'C' shape.

Move your thumb and fingers a few centimetres back from the nipple

Press in towards your chest, press your fingers together and draw them forwards.

Repeat this process, building up a rhythm. It may be useful to look online for videos of hand expression techniques.

Colostrum should start to arrive drop by drop. Initially it may just be a glisten on the end of your nipple and it may take a few days of practise before drops appear.

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. You should not be pinching the nipple or sliding the fingers uncomfortably over the skin.

Rotate the position of your fingers and thumb around the areola (imagine a clock face) and repeat the expressing process to stimulate and remove colostrum from different parts of your breast.

Express each breast twice during each session. The oxytocin hormone released stimulates the uterus. If you experience any cramping in your uterus, you should stop and discuss your choice with your healthcare provider.

Colostrum can vary in appearance.

Sometimes it may appear quite thick and yellow or orange and at other times paler and thinner.
Storage of human breast milk
Colostrum can be collected two to three times each day in the same syringe. You will need to store the syringe in the fridge between uses.

At the end of the collecting day, the colostrum can be frozen - place the syringe into a zip-lock bag before putting into the freezer. Label the syringe and bag (separately) detailing the date and time of when you expressed.

The frozen colostrum can be stored for up to six months in the freezer. Once thawed, it should be used within 24 hours.

You can take syringes of frozen colostrum into hospital using a freezer block and insulated bag. The colostrum can be defrosted under a running warm tap or at room temperature.

It is a good idea to mention your colostrum stores on your birth plan and make sure hospital staff are aware in advance of your wishes in certain situations. The hospital may have access to have a freezer for storage once you arrive.

After the birth, breastfeeding should usually be unrestricted. Ideally, a baby should feed successfully at the breast and the antenatally expressed colostrum would remain unused.

If your baby is experiencing difficulties with breastfeeding at this time you may be encouraged to express some fresh colostrum to give to your baby. You may also use any colostrum you have brought into hospital with you in preference to using any formula.

If harvested colostrum ends up being 'wasted' because early exclusive breastfeeding was possible and successful, this is a cause for celebration rather than commiseration!

However the process of antenatal expressing gives you a back-up if things don't go to plan which many families find reassuring. You'll also start your breastfeeding with a good sense of how to hand express and confidence about how your breasts work.

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02 Expressing your milk before your baby arrives

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Antenatal expressing is expressing colostrum in the final few weeks of pregnancy. It is advised for mothers to wait until around 37 weeks before starting antenatal expression. Mothers who are having multiple births may sometimes start sooner as giving birth earlier is more likely.

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Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

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Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

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Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists

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Overview | Diabetes in pregnancy: management from preconception to the postnatal period | Guidance | NICE

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This guideline covers managing diabetes and its complications in women who are planning pregnancy or are already pregnant. It aims to improve the diagnosis of

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Gestational Diabetes UK | Gestational Diabetes UK

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Do you need some extra help with cracking the GD diet? Do you want extra recipes, hints and tips based on our 8 golden rules of eating? Perhaps you'd like some 7 day meal plans to get you started? Join our Bronze or Silver membership today!