Antenatal hand expressing colostrum – short guide
242KHey there, welcome to my short guide on antenatal hand expressing colostrum. In this video, I will be demonstrating how you can express colostrum from your breasts during pregnancy. Before we begin, let’s talk a little bit about what colostrum is and why it’s important.
Colostrum is the first milk that your breasts produce during pregnancy and in the days immediately after giving birth. It is a thick, yellowish fluid that is incredibly rich in nutrients and antibodies that are essential for your baby’s health and development. Colostrum is sometimes referred to as “liquid gold” because of its many benefits for newborn babies.
Hand expressing colostrum before your baby is born can have several benefits. It can help you to become familiar with the process of expressing milk, which can be useful if you have difficulty breastfeeding after your baby is born. It can also help to stimulate milk production and prepare your breasts for breastfeeding. In some cases, hand expressing colostrum before birth can also help to relieve engorgement and discomfort in the breasts.
Now, let’s get started with the demonstration. The first step is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. This is important to prevent any bacteria from getting into the colostrum and potentially causing infection.
Next, find a comfortable and relaxing place to sit. You may want to have a glass of water or a snack nearby, as expressing colostrum can be thirsty work. Take a few deep breaths and try to relax your muscles, as this can help with the expressing process.
Now, gently massage your breasts to stimulate milk production. Start by gently stroking your breasts in a circular motion, moving from the outside towards the nipple. You can also gently squeeze and massage the breasts to encourage milk flow.
When you are ready to begin expressing, cup your breast with one hand, placing your thumb and fingers around the areola – the dark area around the nipple. Use your other hand to support your breast from underneath.
Using your thumb and fingers, gently squeeze and compress the breast towards the nipple. You should see drops of colostrum appear at the end of the nipple. Continue to gently squeeze and massage the breast to express as much colostrum as you can.
If you are having difficulty expressing colostrum, try applying a warm compress to your breast or massaging your breast with a gentle back-and-forth motion. You can also try expressing colostrum in the shower, as the warm water can help to stimulate milk flow.
Once you have finished expressing colostrum, you can collect it in a clean container or syringe. Colostrum can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 72 hours, or frozen for later use. Make sure to label the container with the date and time that the colostrum was expressed.
It’s important to remember that hand expressing colostrum is not always easy, especially if you are still pregnant. If you are having difficulty or if you are not able to express much colostrum, don’t worry – this is completely normal. The most important thing is to try your best and to seek help from a lactation consultant or healthcare provider if you need it.
Expressing colostrum before your baby is born can be a wonderful way to prepare for breastfeeding and to provide your baby with the many benefits of this amazing first milk. I hope this short guide has been helpful to you, and I wish you all the best on your breastfeeding journey. Thanks for watching!
