Mama, colostrum is something almost magical and is often referred to as ‘liquid gold’ - because it’s honestly worth its weight in gold! So why is this stuff so good, you may ask? Your caregiver can advise on when you can start expressing colostrum during pregnancy but it's generally thought that towards the end is ideal. This change of mind return policy is in addition to, and does not affect your rights under the Australian Consumer Law including any rights you may have in respect of faulty items. To return faulty items see our Returning Faulty Items policy.

Slow and steadily roll your fingers towards the nipple. This action is firm; however, it shouldn’t cause pain. Immunoglobulin- an antibody that fights off infections, and illnesses + protects baby against eczema, allergies and wheezing.

The Haakaa Silicone Breast Pump

You may have friends or family that expressed their colostrum during pregnancy. Maybe you’ve even done it yourself! This is amazing for both you and your little one. It helps your little one adjust to the outside world by regulating their blood sugar levels. This is all connected with other systems such as their temperature control, breathing rate, oxygen levels and metabolism! What’s Colostrum?# Normally, in the last few weeks of pregnancy, a few drops or a small amount of colostrum will flow out from the mother's nipples. The colostrum is rich in nutrients, high in protein and low in fat, it is easily absorbed by the newborn. Preparing to collect them in advance because it has great benefit for your baby. Colostrum contains specialised antibodies and white blood cells that fight bacteria and infection, which are made by mama and passed to bub via the feeding of colostrum. This means it also acts as a protective force and can be considered the first immunity your baby receives after birth - how cool!

It can also be handy for mums who may need to be separated from their bubs after birth , for example, in the case of an emergency c-section or it is known that the baby will require NICU support. Colostrum is the special milk that mothers, and all mammals, produce during late pregnancy, and more specifically, in the first few days after your baby is born. It is produced by the mammary glands in your breasts and mamas can begin to make it from about 16 weeks pregnant! Label your collector with the date and place in your container. Put them in the freezer until birth. Make sure to follow your country's guidelines around storing this safely! On average, a new mama may express only a very small amount (drops) of colostrum each time. This is perfectly normal and is plenty enough to nourish your baby. Every drop counts! At around day 3-5 of motherhood, your breasts will ‘fill up’ and become hard and full. You will also notice your breast milk change colour to white and become much larger in capacity. This is how your breastmilk transitions from colostrum to ‘true’ breastmilk. It’s amazing! For me, it seemed to work best when my daughter was nursing out of one breast and the Haakaa was suctioned to the other. After a couple of minutes – and with a little bit of squeezing the pump base – I was able to get a nice flow going. (I didn't try to pump too much because I don't actually need to build a stash for my 17-month-old.)Colostrum is the first stage of breast milk that you will start producing late in pregnancy and continue to produce for the first few days after birth. It’s highly nutritious and contains a high level of antibodies that will help your baby fight off bacteria and infections. Up until now, the only option for antenatal expressing of colostrum is into single-use plastic syringes. However, this is less than ideal as these syringes cannot be reused and harm the planet. Plastic also has the potential to leach harmful chemicals into your precious liquid gold! It is an impressively concentrated substance that acts as your baby’s first immune system defense after birth. It also helps protect baby's gut and works as a laxative to push through bubs first poo! You'll notice relatively small amounts of colostrum immediately after birth and for the first couple of days before it begins to transition to mature milk.

Recommend from Haakaa.# Clean each colostrum collector before use with hot steam or by boiling in water for 2-3 minutes. Store products in a cool, dry place and avoid direct sunlight. Use all the colostrum in the container for one feed and discard any left over. All the premie mamas out there - colostrum is vital for your baby that came a bit early. Studies show that these little fighters do so much better with even the tiniest bit of colostrum. It is known that they retain feeds better and vomit less than if they were only fed on formula. Apart from being the cutest breastfeeding accessory, these little gems are your boobies' best friend. Senior Midwife, author, and international maternity consultant Kathy Fray has found that collecting colostrum can be super helpful, especially for bubs who may need a little extra help after birth. Before you begin expressing during pregnancy, please speak to your midwife or healthcare professional as nipple stimulation can induce labour. It is recommended that you express at full-term and only if you are planning a vaginal delivery, to ensure the safest outcomes.Colostrum has a mild laxative effect which helps your baby pass its first stool called meconium. This means that it can also help in alleviating jaundice where the excess bilirubin is passed through the stool.

If your colostrum looks pink, red, rust-colored or brown, do not be alarmed. Sometimes blood within milk ducts can make its way into your colostrum resulting in the above colours, which is not harmful. Both incredibly important, colostrum and breast milk are similar but different in a number of ways. Colostrum is the first stage of breast milk and has more protein and Vitamins A, E and K. Milk is produced after colostrum production has stopped and lasts for months or years after birth. As Alexandra says above, these are designed to catch leaks while you go about your daily life so that you can save every drop for future feeds. To all mums and mums-to-be, keep up the fantastic work - you are doing so great! Please remember to always speak to your midwife or healthcare professional before you express colostrum or if you have any questions.This change of mind return policy is in addition to, and does not affect your rights under the Australian Consumer Law including any rights you may have in respect of faulty items. However, there is certainly no reason that a healthy mother with a healthy newborn can't also hoard some colostrum antenatally. It's a brilliant idea!" Along with all the incredible nutrition that colostrum provides, it also can do a few other highly beneficial things. Remember, breast milk is safe to store at room temperature for up to 4 hours. You need to empty your Ladybugs after 2-3 hours wear and refrigerate your milk in appropriate containers. If you have had a healthy pregnancy and have been given the go-ahead by your caregiver you can start expressing colostrum before birth, usually from the 37th week. There are times when it's not advised , for example, if there were any risks with pre-term labour or other pregnancy complications. This is why it is essential that you seek approval from your healthcare provider before expressing colostrum.