Collecting Colostrum

1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Attach the funnel to one of the oral syringes.
3. Hand express into the funnel and draw the colostrum into the attached syringe.
4. Cap, label with name & date, store in fridge or freezer. (Bring to baby straight away if this is an option)

If you have lots of colostrum and your funnel can't keep up, use the medicine cup to express into, then draw the milk into the oral syringe, cap and label.

Storing Colostrum

Store capped labelled syringes or lidded cups in the supplied zip-lock bag. 

Fridge and use colostrum within for 24 hours or freeze for up to 3 months, unless your  Lactation Consultant tells you otherwise.

Giving Colostrum

Give at room temperature directly from syringe or cup within 3 hours of expressing.

From Fridge; colostrum can be given straight from the fridge, or can be warmed up using body temperature, or warmed in lukewarm water max 37'C.

From Freezer; defrost colostrum in fridge around 12 hours. Give defrosted or warm using body temperature or lukewarm water max 37'C.

Do not microwave. Discard thawed milk if unused within 24 hours.

You may use the medicine cup with lid for expressing and storing colostrum, then also cup feed baby from it. Or draw milk in to a syringe and give baby.

The ENFit compatible oral tip (OTLD) one piece syringe has a smooth barrel and tip to make giving collected colostrum gentle on the baby.

Important! By drawing the milk into an OTLD syringe you can feed orally and also connect the syringe to a tube if your baby happens to be tube-fed for some reason. "Traditional" slipfit oral syringes, such as pharmacy oral medication syringes, do not connect to feeding tubes. This is because the new global standard is ENFIT fitting for oral feeds. (Global ISO Standard 80369-3)

To clarify: If you are expressing antenatally and there is some chance your baby may be premature or unwell, or you are unwell, get Simple Solutions Colostrum Collector Kit as this set includes the ENFIT compatible style syringes. This gives you the option to give colostrum by mouth and tube.

Express colostrum no matter how little it may appear to be, every drop is truly worth collecting.

• Colostrum is a fluid which is produced by the breasts from about the 20th week of pregnancy and during the first few days after the birth of your baby.
• Colostrum may look dark yellow to clear; it can also be quite thick and sticky.
• Colostrum is easily digested and the best first food for your baby.
• Colostrum is specially made for your newborn baby. It is very high in protein that helps protect your baby from illness. There are also vitamins, minerals and salts which help protect your baby from dehydration in the early days.
• Colostrum is made in small amounts but is high in energy, helping baby to pass the first bowel motion. This also helps prevent jaundice after birth.
  

• Human milk is the recommended food for all babies, but especially for babies with extra health needs.
• Expressing and storing colostrum before birth, may decrease the risk of your baby being given infant formula after birth. 
• Expressing can assist in the promotion of successful, exclusive breastfeeding for you and your baby.
• Exclusive breastfeeding promotes growth of good gut bacteria.

Generally, you may commence expressing at 36 weeks’ gestation.
Please discuss this with your midwife, lactation consultant or doctor for individual advice prior to commencing expressing.  

Add a pair of Breast-Warmers Silk & Wool to help with expressing, as safe and gentle warmth is beneficial to get the milk to move easier, giving you a greater yield.
Simply wear Breast-Warmers in your bra for 20-30 min before expressing colostrum. If your breasts are tender, keep the Breast-Warmers on as gentle warmth is very comforting on sore breasts.