Colostrum has been referred to as 'liquid gold' for infants.
Interest in antenatal colostrum expression (ACE) is on the rise, with research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) showing that around half of pregnant mums in Perth are giving it a go.
ACE involves hand expressing of colostrum in the last few weeks of pregnancy. Any colostrum that can be expressed can be stored and frozen and used in place of formula in hospital, if required.
"Colostrum has been referred to as 'liquid gold' for infants, reflecting both its yellowish colour and the nutritional composition, rich in developmental and immunological factors," ECU Associate Professor Therese O'Sullivan said.
Colostrum is the first type of breast milk produced by a pregnant mother and provides the important nutrition for the newborn for up to around three days post birth. After this time there is a change to transitional milk for approximately two weeks, followed by the production of mature breast milk.
"Being fed colostrum for the first few days of life has many benefits which are now more well known. Although the function of the breasts is to produce milk to feed infants, the purpose of colostrum specifically is to provide a concentrated, low-volume milk.
"This thick fluid assists the newborn in mastering the coordination of sucking, swallowing, and breathing necessary during breastfeeding. Nutritionally, human colostrum is the perfect food for human newborns. Compared to mature breast milk, it is richer in proteins, particularly antibodies that play an important role in immune defense," Associate Professor O’Sullivan added,
Associate Professor O’Sullivan’s research has reviewed the rise, fall, and rise again of ACE’s popularity over generations. She found that ACE is likely to continue in popularity for its role in increasing breastfeeding confidence in pregnancy, assisting with development of hand expressing skills, and decreasing reliance on formula use in the early days of life.
"Having a supply of antenatal colostrum available is particularly relevant for newborns who are at higher risk of hypoglycaemia, including babies of mothers with diabetes, babies with oral issues like cleft lip or palate, preterm babies and small or large for gestational age babies.
"Traditionally, these babies are given formula to help increase blood glucose levels quickly. However, if mothers have collected colostrum during pregnancy, this can be used in place of formula if required," Associate Professor O'Sullivan said.
Previous research has demonstrated that ACE is safe for low-risk women when performed from around 36 weeks' gestation. Ideally colostrum collected during pregnancy would be kept safely frozen during the hospital stay and only defrosted and used during the stay if medically indicated, with parents supported through that process.
Associate Professor O’Sullivan said that although ACE does not appear to improve long term breastfeeding rates at present (research is still currently underway in this area), it can increase confidence around breastfeeding.
"Women should be reassured that the skill of hand expressing is a valuable tool post-birth, regardless of whether they are able to collect colostrum antenatally or not.
"Alongside this, we also need to ensure that pregnant women are well supported to help limit anxiety around a potential inability to express colostrum antenatally, and for appropriate use of antenatal colostrum during the establishment of breastfeeding," she said.
