How to bring in colostrum to hospital if they are frozen?

I’m planning on taking mine in a small insulated pack lunch cool box type thing with some ice blocks inside. Apparently most hospitals do have a fridge you can store in, but normally once you get to ward after delivery suit x

I took mine in a freezer bag with freezer packs and handed them to the midwives straight away - they then put them in their freezer until birth (over 24 hours later as I was in for induction) they don’t defrost each syringe until it’s actually being used, as it only takes a few minutes to defrost in warm water - but they will sort all that out for you

You can ask the midwife as the arrangements seem to differ based on hospital/trust x

They have freezers/fridges on the maternity ward which they store for you!

@Cecilia interesting, thanks for sharing! I do also feel like if I will be breastfeed straight away then I wouldnt need them.

@Aidana @Cecilia I would disagree! I had my boy last week and he has a tongue tie and was very tired so struggled to latch, and the fact I had a good supply of colostrum with me meant that baby still got fed. I was in hospital 2 nights just for feeding issues, and no formula was needed. Midwives would help me try to feed him and then would give him my colostrum directly from the syringe, so there was no nipple confusion. I continued to hand express in hospital and after 2 nights he was feeding fine. One week later and he didn’t lose any birth weight (actually gained) and we are now feeding fine direct from the boob despite still waiting for his tongue tie to be sorted

@Cecilia yeah that’s true, I just know for myself it was nice to be expressing for the future rather than expressing for the next feed and possibly not having it ready when baby is hungry. I’m sorry that they gave your baby your colostrum in a bottle! I definitely think that probably made it worse, whereas mine was given in the syringe and they said if I need to do it myself when home then I can give it from a spoon. (I also left half my colostrum supply at home in case what I took to the hospital spoiled)

How far do you live from the hospital? My midwife said it’s good to take some in a cooler bag just in case you are split from baby (hopefully not but just Incase) it’s good to have some as back-up but also be prepared it might get wasted if not used or you opt to breastfeed and all goes well initially. My midwife suggested an alternative to get my hubby to bring some in if we found that there were issues with latching or we got separated. I’m personally bringing a cooler box and prepared to waste a syringe or two if that has to happen because I’d rather be prepared! We are taking a cool pack which will stay with me so hopefully doesn’t get lost and everything is labelled. That’s if I remember to take it to the hospital when I’m in labour 😅