A Journey to the Liquid Gold: When does Colostrum come in?

When does colostrum come in? This question is fundamental for expecting parents, as colostrum produced after childbirth serves as the newborn's first food. Understanding the importance of colostrum highlights its integral role in nurturing newborns during those critical first hours. This precious liquid is filled with antibodies and important nutrients that give newborn babies growth factors, protection, and immunity.

What is Colostrum?

Mothers’ mammary glands produce a thick yellowish-white milk called Colostrum. It is a nutrient-rich fluid that is filled with essential nutrients and antibodies and is often referred to as “first milk” or “pre-milk,” which is healthier than mature breast milk. It is slightly lower in sugar and significantly lower in fat. Colostrum is a vital source of nutrition for newborns as it contains high levels of antibodies, growth factors, and minerals that give immune support to newborn babies.

When does Colostrum come in?

Women’s bodies begin producing colostrum in the first trimester, between 12 and 18 weeks of pregnancy, but expecting moms don’t usually start leaking until it is close to the delivery. Colostrum is the first source of nutrients and antibodies for babies after they are born. This milk is vital for a newborn's early growth and immune system.

Does Leaking Colostrum mean Labor is Close?

No, leaking colostrum is not a sign that labor is coming soon. Some expectant moms cling to the thought that a leaking breast is a sign of labor, but it is not. You don’t have to worry about it because it’s perfectly normal. The nipples may leak noticeably during the last few weeks or days of pregnancy, but it just simply means that your body is getting ready to feed the baby when you give birth.

In most cases, hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy cause leaking breasts during pregnancy. The responsible hormone for the milk mothers' milk production when a woman gives birth is called Prolactin. As this hormone increases, then the breast may start leaking.

How do I know if I Start to Produce Colostrum?

The production of colostrum is not always noticeable, but you may notice you are making colostrum around 16 weeks of pregnancy until the first few days after childbirth. But you can tell if you are producing colostrum if you notice the following signs:

Leaking: You might notice a few drops of a yellowish-to-orange substance leaking from your nipples. Don’t worry because it is normal and can happen weeks or months before the baby pops out. If you notice leakage, you may use washable breast pads.

Stains: You might notice yellow or orange stains in your bra.

Expressing: You can try to squeeze your nipples to express a few drops.

When do you start harvesting colostrum?

When do you Start Harvesting Colostrum?

Women’s bodies begin producing colostrum between 12 and 18 weeks in pregnancy. In harvesting colostrum, you can start at 36 weeks gestation. It is best to harvest colostrum regularly for short periods through hand expression. Expressing colostrum before the baby is born is useful to ensure that the baby will start life without the need for formula supplementation.

To collect your colostrum, you will need a sterilized syringe and a clean, sterilized large container. Make sure you are comfortable and relaxed. A little warmth will help, so you may try expressing yourself in the shower or bath first. Note that it may take a while to appear when you start.

1. Gently massage your breast from the outer parts towards your nipple in all directions for about two minutes. Then, roll your nipple for a minute. This stimulates the milk-release hormone oxytocin.
2. Position your thumb and fingers in a “C” shape. Start at the end of your nipple and feel back to where there is a change of texture, usually about 2 - 3 cm from your nipple.
3. Gently compress and release your finger and thumb in a rhythmic motion. Expressing should not hurt. It’ll take a few minutes before some colostrum comes out. Collect the colostrum in a sterile syringe.
4. If the flow slows down or stops, change the position of your hand so you can move around your breast. You can move to the other breast and repeat.
5. After harvesting colostrum, label it with your full name and the date and time you expressed it. Then, store the syringe in a zip lock and put it inside the freezer. The frozen colostrum can be kept for up to six months in the freezer. If thawed, it should be consumed within 24 hours.

How Long is Colostrum Produced?

Usually, the body produces colostrum up to about five days after the delivery until the milk increases in amount and slowly becomes a mature milk. The transition of colostrum to mature milk ends at 4-6 weeks after delivery, and the milk produced is considered “mature”. Mature milk is thinner, whiter, and has a higher sugar and fat content than colostrum. The more you nurse, the more the baby’s sucking will stimulate your supply, the more milk you’ll make.

How much Colostrum does a Newborn Need?

A newborn baby’s stomach only holds a small amount of milk, and by that, they only need approximately half a teaspoon per feeding in the first 24 hours of life. Newborns can typically consume about an ounce per day. The number of feedings varies and becomes more frequent in the next few days of their lives.

How to Feed Colostrum to Your Newborn?

Colostrum is a very special liquid, and it is important to know how to feed colostrum to your newborn baby. Aside from feeding it directly from the breast, there are some other ways to feed colostrum to a newborn:

Syringe feeding:

1. Using a sterile syringe, put 0.2ml of colostrum into the baby’s mouth at a time.
2. Slowly place the milk between their gum and cheek or onto their tongue.
3. Allow the baby to swallow first before giving more.

Spoon feeding: Using a small sterilized spoon, express a small amount of colostrum and gently offer it to the baby. The baby will sniff the milk and push their tongue forward to start to drink the milk.

Cup feeding: Cup feeding encourages the baby to use their tongue and lower jaw in a similar way as breastfeeding. Babies can also smell and enjoy the milk when using a cup.

Bottle feeding:

1. Encourage your baby to open its mouth by softly rubbing the teat against its lips.
2. Gently insert the teat into the mouth while keeping the bottle in a horizontal position to prevent the milk from going too fast.
3. Check if the baby is full, and gently remove the teat.

This method is not usually recommended unless all the other methods are unsuccessful. This is because sucking on a teat poses different mouth and jaw action. The flow of the milk is also fast and continuous in a feeding bottle.

Can you Pump Colostrum?

Some expecting moms usually ask if you can pump colostrum; yes, you can only if your baby is born early and not nursing properly. Pumping colostrum isn’t easy due to its thick consistency, but yes, you can. You can start expressing milk within the first 6 hours of childbirth. You can pump milk and put it in the freezer until it’s time to feed the baby again. When the baby is stable, you can have the milk fed to them by tube or by letting them sip in a tin cup or bottle. Choosing a pump that will give you ease of pumping is essential in this part.

When does Colostrum Change to Milk?

After producing colostrum for the first five days after giving birth, the breasts will start to feel tender, and you’ll notice that your milk supply is starting to change in color, consistency, and volume. After colostrum, it’ll become “Transitional Milk,” a mixture of colostrum and mature milk. Transitional milk occurs days after giving birth; this is creamier in texture, protein-enriched, and looks like whole milk.

Then, 10-14 days after birth, the milk will again change into what is known as “Mature Milk.” Mature milk is divided into two: Foremilk and Hindmilk. Foremilk is thinner in consistency and has a bluish tint to it. As the feeding continues, the mature milk will be thicker and creamier in texture as Hindmilk is expressed. Hindmilk contains a higher fat content than foremilk or transitional milk, but all of them are nutritious and crucial for the baby’s health and growth.

Pump Mature Breast Milk

Learning how to pump mature breast milk is essential, and it takes time and dedication, but it is worth all the effort. Just like any other skill, it takes time to get the hang of breast pumping. You just have to be patient even if you didn’t get enough the first time you tried it.  

Here’s how to pump mature breast milk:

1. Be prepared. Aside from having the spirit to pump, having a quality pump is important. The Momcozy M9 is a handy breast pump that gives a convenient pumping experience. It is easier to pump anytime, anywhere, and even while doing household tasks. With the help of the M9 pump, mothers can do more than just pump. Unlike the other pumps, the M9 isn’t bulky, and it is easy to carry, so you can just plug and play! This is perfect for stay-at-home moms and even working moms. Momcozy M9 is the pump that all moms deserve!

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2. Stay hydratedand eat. Pumping and breastfeeding require a lot of strength, so you need to have all the energy you need before you start making the liquid gold. It is not only to get more milk but for your overall health.
3. Pump while breastfeeding. The best let-down trigger is your baby. After all, the baby is the natural demand of your milk supply. Some moms find that they pump more milk while the baby is latched on the other breast. Nursing the baby triggers the milk-producing hormones to release more milk.
4. Massage your breasts.Massaging the firm parts of the breasts can help improve milk production. You can explore with kinds of massage that work for you. Experts recommend the “massage, stroke, shake” approach. Make sure to massage your breasts before pumping.
5. Pump both breasts. You shouldn’t pump on one side only. You should alternate pumping so both breasts get an equal supply.
6. Breastfeed often. To maintain your milk supply, you have to breastfeed often. If you are a working mom, you can breastfeed your baby anytime possible so your milk supply won’t run dry.

FAQs about when Colostrum comes in:

When can you squeeze out colostrum?

You can squeeze out colostrum as early as the 36 to 37th week of pregnancy. But if you’re starting to leak before this time, you can start collecting colostrum in a sterile syringe, place it in a ziplock, and store it in a freezer.

How to increase colostrum before birth?

To increase your colostrum, you can hand express your milk a few times a day. Try to express for 20 minutes each session, alternating between breasts every 5 minutes to simulate and avoid breast soreness.

Can squeezing colostrum out cause labor?

No, squeezing colostrum doesn’t cause labor. The milk-producing hormone oxytocin is released when expressing that stimulates the uterus, but squeezing colostrum rarely causes labor.

Is it bad to collect colostrum too early?

Yes, collecting colostrum too early is risky as this can trigger contractions or preterm labor that is dangerous for the baby.

How many syringes of colostrum should I harvest?

Start collecting colostrum in small amounts, about half a milliliter, and gradually increase as your colostrum supply increases.

Conclusion

Colostrum, a baby's superfood, is a beautiful liquid that gives life to babies. It is amazing how women’s bodies can produce such beautiful liquid as this. That’s why it is important to know when colostrum comes in, so you can prepare your mind, body, and soul for the beautiful blessing that is about to change your life.