Colostrum storage

Hand expressing isbthe best way to harvest colostrum. I got sterile medical syringes last time (tyoe without a needle). Theyvcome in 1ml and 2ml so are a good size for colostrum. You can also get silicone ones but theyvare expensive. Using the syringe type are great because they freeze easily and defrost quick when you need to use them for baby / if you need to use them. Theyvare also a good size for when baby is born as they only drink a tiny amount to start with.

@Kirsty where do you buy the syringes from? Also how do you transfer the colostrum into the syringes, does it just pour in?

I got some sillicone ones from vinted, which were still packaged and useful if you get more the first few days

@Claire you can buy them from most good chemists. They will be individually packed and sealed usually. They are usually used for measuring and administering liquid medication or herbs orally etc. All you do is hand express your colostrum into a small medicine cup (5ml usually is fine or up to 20/ 30 what ever) or you could even use a glass shot glass if you dint have a small medicine cup. Then open the syringe packet up and you draw the milk up into it (like how you draw a syringe to measure meds etc). Some come with caps you can put on or you can just place them into a seald container and into the freezer. Just pop a small sticker on it with date and contents. They are so handy. I found we wasted less colostrum when the syringes were smaller (like 1ml or 2ml max). Just fill the syringe with what you express that instance and the next day you use a new one). You may have a bunch with only 1ml or less than a ml) thats ok. Just freeze them straight away so they are really fresh and good for baby.

@Claire when you need to use them they will defrost really quick (do not put in microwave etc) You can look up safe/ easy ways that suit you to warm it if needed but i just placed it in my clothing against my skin/ like under breast is good or somewhere warm to warm to my body temp then gave to baby etc

@Kirsty thank you so much for explaining! I’m 30 weeks ftm and coming up to that point and keep reading about collection but didn’t know how…just went down a Google rabbit hole after I replied to you! 😅 6am here and can’t get comfortable to sleep. 💤

@Claire ah congrats hun. Not long now. How exciting. Thats ok. You can pass your knowledge onto a mumma in the future and keep the love going. Its really very easy once you get the hang of it. And really its like a just incase thing and is useful to have as a back up etc anyways. Yup i feel you. Lol im 26wks and im already in land of hard sleep hahahah but i also have a spinal injury that throws a spanner in the works hahahaha X

When I’ve collected I set up a space that’s kinda relaxing with some water and I had breastfeeding hot chocolate. Had a warm shower and massaged breasts. Heat packs and alternated sides when expressing. Also YouTube is really great for learning how to hand express. If using a shot glass make sure it’s sterilised. You can buy syringes on amazon or from the chemist. Buy some plain labels to put your name, date (time if you wish) and put it around the syringe before freezing. I also freezed syringes in zip lock bags