In July 2007, at the International Lactation Consultants Association annual conference, Sue Cox, RM, AM, IBCLC presented a fascinating lecture entitled Preterm Expression and Storage of Colostrum: A Positive Step for Mothers and Neonates?
Here is an overview of her presentation.
Through the ages women were encouraged to regularly remove colostrum from their breasts during pregnancy. In the late 1970's the medical community became concerned that nipple stimulation, which causes the release of oxytocin, might cause premature labor. This is not supported in the medical literature. In fact many authors that wrote about pregnancy care supported and/or suggested daily removal of colostrum.
'..the nipples should be stroked and drawn out gently for about two minutes
each day from early pregnancy...from the thirty second week the breasts
should be expressed ...' ...This manipulation is thought to keep the
ducts of the breast open.'
Llewellyn-Jones (1972, p. 156)
‘... the duct system is unplugged from the dried up secretion. This in turn stimulates the formation of more colostrum ...'
Applebaum (1969, p. 47)
Studies on using nipple stimulation to induce labor proved this to be ineffective.
30 to 110 minutes of nipple stimulation:
Have shown ripening of the cervix, if term.
Have not shown significant effects in:
• inducing labor
• altering the length of labor
• alterations in fetal outcome
Hand expressing before delivery increases your confidence that you can make milk. It also teaches you this very important skill before your baby arrives. Handling your breasts will help you to become more comfortable with your body before you and baby start to breastfeed.
Antenatal Expression of Colostrum
Read more on expressing colostrum prenatally.
Diana West, RN, IBCLC talks about expressing colostrum prenatally in her ILCA 2008 presentation "New Methods of Increasing Milk Production."
- Begin expressing at around 35 weeks
- Express right after a warm shower
- If you experience uterine cramping, stop expressing
- Draw up your drops of colostrum with a periodontal syringe
- You can use the same syringe for 48 hours
- Place the syringes in zip-lock bags and freeze
- Bring to the hospital for supplementation
- Defrost under warm running water
Here's a great blog by a mother that expressed colostrum prenatally for both of her babies.
*Before you initiate expressing your colostrum prenatally you should discuss it with your Midwife or Obstetrician. Schedule an appointment with your lactation consultant to learn more about prenatal hand expression.