Syringe feeding colostrum

[lucy1]

I'm looking for a little advice.

I'm planning on formula feeding so that isn't up for discussion however 4 days ago I started leaking what I believe is colostrum (yellow...sticky...gets everywhere...).

This is my first baby so excuse me if what I'm suggesting isn't feasible but is it possible for me to antenatally express the colostrum and freeze until birth and syringe feed baby alongside bottles (I'm not sure how much I'll be able to express so not sure if I would have an amount to feed consistently or how long for)?



I'm clueless

 

[Fizzyfefe]

Yes, it is definitely possible! However, you might want to get clearance from your doctor first, as nipple stimulation can stimulate contractions.

 

[lucy1]

Yep I've read that! Apparently they recommend from 36 weeks on but I'll definitely check it out.
Is it likely I will be able to get advice from midwife about it or am I better off trying to speak to a breastfeeding specialist at the hospital I'm booked in for? (Only put off by the hard sell she may give me to BF when I've chosen not to!)

 

[Fizzyfefe]

I can't answer that, sorry! I am in the US and never had a midwife, only an ob-gyn, and I never produced colostrum before having my baby. If it had happened to me, though, I would've asked the doctor instead of the lactation consultant.

 

[Kitteh_Kat]

Definitely check with your midwife, since they've been monitoring your pregnancy. Hopefully you can get a straight answer without being pressured! (I exclusively formula fed, so I don't have any experience doing it personally, sorry!)

 

[mummy2_1]

Hey wanted to say I've also decided not to bf, although I want to feed colostrum while in the hospital but not anymore bf when i get home. I've never had milk come in before labour so would be curious to the answer u get if ud share with us, I'd like to know too. I know how pushy and intimidating the bf service in the UK can be. (that's not to say they are not helpful or that they are all the same)

 

[lucy1]

I will definitely ask next week as I have a few appointments.

I know what you mean mummy2_1 it's very much BF orientated and it would be so off putting to try and get advice on this from BF professionals because I know it's likely I'll get some pressure to BF instead!

Syringe feeding is pretty unusual unless there's a medical reason too. It just sounds like a compromise I'd be willing to explore so hopefully I'm not put off by the people I'll probably have to ask for help!

 

[dom85]

My midwife knew about antenatal expression, she was the one who first told me about it. There doesn't have to be a 'medical reason' to do it either.

 

[justmeinlove]

I did it once the baby was born whilst she was still figuring out how to latch. Worked really well!

 

[noon_child]

This is a great idea! Yes pre-natal expression is slightly different to post natal expression (you don't do the breast massage pre-natally). I'm sure your midwife would be happier LO got colostrum and formula than just formula, so I'd ask her for advice. If she doesn't know she can find out for you.

In the first few days baby's tummy is so small (5ml day one and two, 10ml day three and only reaching 30ml with a capacity to stretch a bit at seven days old) that you may be able to just use the colostrum you've collected without adding any formula. This will allow the gut to become coated with all the 'good' bacteria needed for healthy digestion that isn't available in formula.

 

[mummy2_1]

How early and long can colostrum be kept for/ frozen for use when baby arrives??

 

[MindUtopia]

Yes, definitely. I didn't actually do this while I was pregnant (but I did express after birth - not from choice, but my daughter had latch issues - and fed her from a cup). But I do know people who have expressed while pregnant. You will probably want to do more research. There should be lots of resources online about it, but from what I've been told you should hand express onto a sterile spoon (you can sterilise in Milton's) and then suck it up into syringes. The 5ml or even 1ml ones would be ideal depending on how much you find you make with each expressing session. Then freeze them. I have no idea how you thaw them. I guess just at room temp? You should you be able to keep it as long as you can keep frozen stored breastmilk, which I think is a few months? Definitely if you start at 36 weeks, you'll use it well before it goes bad in the freezer. You might find some info on some of the breastfeeding support sites like Kellymom or La Leche League.

 

[AmeliePoulain]

I did antenatal expressing for my 2 youngest daughters because I had gestational diabetes.

I was actually surprised with baby #3 I got told they were recommending it for all Mums now, not just if you have a medical issue.

With DD2 I started expressing it - just hand expressing - at 36 weeks. I stored it in 1ml syringes (so tiny amounts)

Babies don't need very much of it at all. 2ml of colostrum increased my baby's blood sugar as much as 2oz of formula did - so it shows it is quite powerful.

I took 14ml in total in hospital with DD2 (I got the most with her) I labelled each syringe with my name, nhs number and date it was expressed. The hospital just put it in the freezer for me.

I expressed from 36 weeks both times I did it - DD2 was induced at 39+5 and DD3 at 41 weeks - so it didn't bring on labour for me!

 

[PoppyPainting]

My daughter was born under ga section. Although I'd intended to bf I was too wobbly the first 24 hours. The midwife helped me express my colostrum into a syringe that my DD was given immediately. I didn't try storing any tho or expressing before birth.

 

[SurpriseBub]

I don't know anything about pumping while pregnant... agree with the advice to check it with your dr!

From what i understand, syringe feeding is done mostly to preserve the breastfeeding relationship (they did this for us while in hospital). So, if you are going to bottle feed anyway, I would prepare and offer the colostrum in the bottle first and then top up with formula (if necessary). Offering the colostrum first should mean no wastage just thought I would say that you may not need to syringe feed at all.

Good luck! Let us know how you get on!!

 

[SurpriseBub]

How early and long can colostrum be kept for/ frozen for use when baby arrives??

I would think the normal milk storage guidelines apply... here is a good link- kelly mom is the best site!

https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/milkstorage/

 

[noon_child]

I don't know anything about pumping while pregnant... agree with the advice to check it with your dr!

From what i understand, syringe feeding is done mostly to preserve the breastfeeding relationship (they did this for us while in hospital). So, if you are going to bottle feed anyway, I would prepare and offer the colostrum in the bottle first and then top up with formula (if necessary). Offering the colostrum first should mean no wastage just thought I would say that you may not need to syringe feed at all.

Good luck! Let us know how you get on!!

Colostrum is thicker so doesn't come out of a bottle teat too easily, so syringes are recommended.

Also it is in such small amounts that transferring from syringe to bottle then from bottle to baby will cause a lot to be wasted cos it will stick to the sides of each container. Sucking the milk directly in to syringes then freezing those mean they are ready to go with minimal wastage.

Hope that helps!

 

[mummy2_1]

Thank you thank you thank you ladies. All helpful suggestions.

Is there. Medical syringe to be bought for this or is it pharmacy syringes that can be put in the freezer. When I received help from breast feeding service last time with my lb they gave us some syringes but I can't remember What they look like now????

 

[AmeliePoulain]

I bought mine from amazon, my midwife also offered me them x

 

[SurpriseBub]

I don't know anything about pumping while pregnant... agree with the advice to check it with your dr!

From what i understand, syringe feeding is done mostly to preserve the breastfeeding relationship (they did this for us while in hospital). So, if you are going to bottle feed anyway, I would prepare and offer the colostrum in the bottle first and then top up with formula (if necessary). Offering the colostrum first should mean no wastage just thought I would say that you may not need to syringe feed at all.

Good luck! Let us know how you get on!!

Colostrum is thicker so doesn't come out of a bottle teat too easily, so syringes are recommended.

Also it is in such small amounts that transferring from syringe to bottle then from bottle to baby will cause a lot to be wasted cos it will stick to the sides of each container. Sucking the milk directly in to syringes then freezing those mean they are ready to go with minimal wastage.

Hope that helps!

Good points!

I guess I was picturing using an electric pump and storing in the bottle it would be drunk from. It would be nice to avoid the pfaff of syringes, but not if it means lots of wastage!