Why is it so important to express breast milk before baby arrives?

Anna Martin

There’s loads to do before baby arrives, expressing breast milk might be the last thing on your mind

Yet, even when you’re still getting organised you can begin lactating and it is recommended that you collect this first breast milk or colostrum.

So, why is it so important and what makes colostrum so special when compared to regular breast milk?

What is colostrum?

Colostrum is the first breast milk a pregnant person will produce, often called “liquid gold” due to its importance and often golden colour.

It’s different from mature milk as when compared, colostrum has a lot of antioxidants and antibodies which can help keep your baby healthy.

It lines your baby’s stomach with good bacteria during feeding and also contains compounds that feed the good bacteria and kill harmful bacteria and viruses.

Colostrum’s main benefit is to prevent infection and has a laxative effect to encourage your baby’s first poo.

Though you may think you need a lot of it to have an effect on your newborn, it’s completely normal to collect anything from a few drops to a teaspoon which is more than enough.

Why collect colostrum when still pregnant?

For so many reasons, even just for yourself as a new parent, you’ll be able to become more familiar with your breasts and how they work as well as feeling more comfortable and confident with hand-expressing milk.

Collecting your colostrum can also be beneficial for your baby if you:

are taking beta blockers to control high blood pressure
have developed pre-eclampsia during pregnancy
are diabetic or have developed diabetes during pregnancy
have polycystic ovary syndrome
have breast hypoplasia (a condition in which the breast doesn’t fully develop) or you have
had breast surgery
plan to give birth by caesarean section

How to start collecting colostrum

After clearing it with your healthcare provider that you’re okay to start the process, you can get to hand expressing this liquid gold with a few steps:

You will need a clean, sterilised syringe and a clean, sterilised larger container. Have these items ready before you start.
Get comfortable and try to relax. Warmth will help, so try expressing in the shower or bath at first or you can gently massage your breasts with a warm flannel.
Use your hand to cup one of your breasts. Your hand should be in a ‘C’ shape around the nipple with four fingers under the breast and the thumb at the top. Your thumb and fingers should be about 2 to 3cm away from the areola.
Use your thumb and index finger to gently squeeze. Release the pressure and then repeat to create a rhythm. This shouldn’t hurt. If the colostrum doesn’t flow, try moving your fingers slightly towards the nipple or further away, finding the spot that works best for you.
Collect your colostrum with the sterilised syringe and if necessary put to the larger sterilised container.
When the drops slow down, move your fingers around to try a different section of your breast and repeat.
Repeat the process for your second breast.