Do you have a history of low milk supply? If so, antenatal milk expression may be helpful in your next pregnancy — it is the act of hand expressing colostrum once or twice daily starting around 36-37 weeks of pregnancy.
An antenatal expression may be encouraged for women:
- who have experienced previous low milk supply
- who have breast hypoplasis (limited breast development)
- with polycystic ovary syndrome
- who have had previous breast surgery
- who have experienced diabetes in pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
Or for babies:
- with a cleft lip and/or palate identified during pregnancy
- with congenital conditions such as Down syndrome or cardiac complications
- diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction
- who are born prematurely
How to express colostrum
You can express colostrum drops into a spoon and then use a small syringe to draw up the milk. The syringe can then be frozen and administered after the baby is born if supplementation is needed.
NOTE: Please consult with your doctor, midwife, or lactation consultant before beginning antenatal hand expression. For those on pelvic rest or who have a high-risk pregnancy, an antenatal hand expression may be discouraged by your healthcare provider.