[Infant Feeding] 'Antenatal Harvesting' or Antenatal Milk Expression.

Antenatal Harvesting or Antenatal Milk Expression.

Many places around the world are now recommending women with low risk pregnancies to consider the benefits of expressing colostrums after 36 weeks of pregnancy. Research has shown for it to be safe in low risk pregnancies with no links found that it stimulates the onset of labour.

Milk production begins as early as 12-16 weeks! It is not recommended that you express any milk off until 36 weeks.

Colostrum is the thick-yellow milk that is first produced in the breast. This is ‘liquid gold’ in terms of the nutritious benefit for your baby.

It is full with antibodies to protect your baby and support a healthy immune system. It is very good for your babies gut and is a laxative to help clear the meconium (the first black stool) which removed early also reduces jaundice.

Why express before you give birth?

-Builds your confidence in hand expressing

-Some women have delayed onset of milk after birth due to having a more complex delivery. If you have syringes to give the baby it will reduce the need for formula whilst awaiting for the milk to come in

-Some babies find it difficult to have stable blood sugars after delivery due to being a low birthweight, exposed to medications in the womb or due to maternal or fetal health conditions. These babies often need supplements if the blood sugars are low and having syringes again is a brilliant resource.

How should I do this?

- Please see this link for a detailed introduction - https://abm.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/ABM-antenatal-expressing.pdf

- This should only take 3-5 minutes on each breast twice a day

- Freeze the milk in sterile syringes (1-2ml)

- To thaw the syringes place them in hot water when you need them and use within 24 hours from when thawed

Please note this is advice for low risk pregnancy. Always consult with your midwife or dr if you would like to do this. It is not advised for women with cervical incompetence, preterm labour history, bleeding in pregnancy or placenta praevia to express antenatally.

Sources:

La leche International https://www.llli.org/breastfeeding-info/colostrum-prenatal-antenatal-expression/

Association of breastfeeding mothers https://abm.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/ABM-antenatal-expressing.pdf

Australian Breastfeeding Association https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/antenatal-expression-colostrum

Author: Abigail Laurie Registered Midwife and Registered Specialist Public Health Nurse, United Kingdom.