Colostrum Expressing Kit

**Please speak with your LMC or OB about antenatal hand expressing first.**

While you're preparing for the arrival of your little one, don't forget to also prepare for their first ever food - colostrum.

Our Colostrum Collection Kit is thoughtfully designed for expectant mothers looking to collect and store their precious colostrum. This kit provides all the essential tools needed for a hygienic expression experience. Equipped with sterile colostrum syringes, labels, and easy-to-follow instructions, the Colostrum Collection Kit ensures that mothers can safely store their "liquid gold" for their newborns. 

Our Antenatal Colostrum Expressing Kit has everything you need to get started and is the perfect tool to help express colostrum with ease. In our harvesting colostrum kits, you will find:

• 4 x 1ml Sterile colostrum syringes
• 2 x 2.5ml Sterile colostrum syringes
• 1 x 5ml Sterile  colostrum syringe
• 1 x 10ml Sterile  colostrum syringe
• 1 x Pack of caps 
• 1 x Pack of labels 
• 1 x Colostrum collection cup/feeder cup 
• 1 x Antenatal colostrum expressing technique guide 
• 1 x Sample of our Premium Lactation Drinking Chocolate 
• 1 x Pink bamboo fibre storage container with boobies! Use this container to store your colostrum syringes inside to take with you to the hospital or birthing centre. Later, re-use it as a little snack box or storage container for the nappy bag! 

Colostrum can be harvested from 37 weeks. Always check with your midwife / OB beforehand. 

The Milk Collective is committed to supporting a healthy breastfeeding journey with nour breastfeeding supplements. Experience the ease of colostrum collection with our thoughtfully designed Colostrum Collection Kit.

Colostrum, often referred to as "liquid gold," is a highly concentrated form of breast milk, rich in antibodies and nutrients that benefit your baby's health and development. 

Having a readily available supply of colostrum can be advantageous in various situations, such as:

• Supplementing your baby's nutritional needs with extra feeds.
• Meeting the demands of multiples, such as twins or triplets.
• Allowing you and your nipples some time to recover.
• Preparing for a scheduled caesarean or induced birth.

For mothers with diabetes, expressed colostrum can be especially beneficial. In the first 24 hours after birth, their babies are at risk of developing low blood sugar levels. Using the Colostrum Harvesting Kit to collect your colostrum can help maintain a newborn's blood glucose levels.

Additionally, if you have undergone breast surgery in the past, expressing colostrum can be an essential practice to ensure your baby receives the vital nutrients they need for optimal growth and development.

If you're interested in collecting colostrum, it's generally recommended to begin hand expressing for a few minutes daily once you reach 36 to 37 weeks of pregnancy. This timing helps ensure that you have a supply of colostrum ready for your baby's arrival while minimising the risk of stimulating labour prematurely. Always consult with your healthcare provider or a lactation consultant before starting to express colostrum with the colostrum harvesting kit, as they can offer guidance and support.

The amount of colostrum you collect may vary, and it's normal to begin with just a drop or two. Over time, as you express more, the volume is likely to increase. Keep in mind that a newborn only requires small amounts of colostrum during their initial feeds, so any quantity you collect will be beneficial for your baby.

As colostrum is highly concentrated, even a small amount can provide essential nutrients and antibodies to support your baby's health and development. It's important to focus on the benefits of the colostrum you collect, rather than trying to reach a specific number of syringes. Remember that every drop counts and can positively impact your baby's well-being during their crucial early days.

If you need help with expressing colostrum with your colostrum syringes in NZ, contact your lactation consultant or midwife.

Collecting colostrum, kit or no kit, is recommended. To collect colostrum, follow these steps, ensuring that your hands are clean before you begin:

1. Find a comfortable, relaxed position, either sitting or standing. Warmth and relaxation can aid the process, so consider using a warm compress on your breasts or expressing after a warm shower.
2. Gently massage your breast in a circular motion, starting from the outer edges and moving towards the nipple. This can help stimulate milk flow.
3. Place your thumb on top of your breast and your forefingers underneath, about 1-1.5 inches (2.5-4 cm) away from the base of the nipple. The distance may vary depending on the size of your breast.
4. Press your fingers gently towards your chest, compress the breast tissue, hold briefly, and then release. Ensure that you're not squeezing or pinching the nipple itself, as this can be painful and counterproductive.
5. Repeat this process, using a rhythmic motion, repositioning your fingers around the breast to access different milk ducts.
6. As colostrum begins to flow, collect the droplets in one of the sterile colostrum syringes provided in your colostrum collection kit.
7. Once you have collected the colostrum, label the container or colostrum syringe with the date and time of expression. Store the collected colostrum according to guidelines provided by your healthcare provider or lactation consultant.

Remember that it may take some time to see results, and the amount of colostrum collected can vary. Practise patience and consult your healthcare provider or lactation supplement consultant if you have concerns or need additional guidance.

When collecting colostrum with the Colostrum Collection Kit, you can express it two to three times per day, combining the expressed colostrum in the same syringe. Be sure to store the colostrum syringe in the fridge between uses to maintain its freshness and safety.

At the end of each day, you can transfer the collected colostrum to the freezer for longer-term storage. Place the colostrum syringe in a zip-lock bag to protect it from potential contaminants and store it safely in the freezer. Remember to label the bag with the date of expression to keep track of your colostrum's freshness.