Colostrum: Every Drop Counts

Lucas Souza
2 days ago
4 min read

It can be hard for parents to know how to help their premature baby in those first hours and days after birth. One of the most powerful ways to support a premature baby from the very beginning is by providing colostrum. Sometimes called liquid gold, colostrum is the very first breastmilk a mother’s body will make.

Read on to learn why colostrum is so important for babies (especially preemies), and how to collect every last drop!

What is colostrum?

Colostrum is the earliest form of human milk. It is sometimes a yellow or golden colour and may seem thick or even sticky. A mother’s body begins making colostrum during pregnancy and continues to make colostrum for a few days after birth.

It is normal for a mother to make only small amounts of colostrum. In fact, this is by design, as a baby’s stomach is tiny after birth. That is why every single drop of colostrum is super-packed full of exactly what a baby needs in a form that is easy to digest. After a few days, colostrum will transition into a more mature form of breastmilk, and the amount will also increase.

Why colostrum is so good for babies

Every single drop of colostrum is made to meet a baby’s needs in the first days of life and has many powerful health benefits.

Colostrum is:

High in protein and nutrients. Colostrum contains protein, fat and other nutrients that babies need. Even a small amount of colostrum can help prevent low blood sugar and give a baby all the nutrients needed for a healthy start.
An immune-booster and gut-protector. Colostrum is alive. It is full of healthy bacteria that coat your baby’s digestive system, creating a protective barrier against harmful germs. Colostrum also contains immunoglobulins that fight disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Immunity passed on through colostrum is a powerful gift from mother to baby.
Easy to digest. Colostrum is easy to digest and gentle on a premature baby’s developing digestive system.

It is easy to underestimate the power of colostrum. Remember that even a single drop of colostrum is a powerful tool to keep your baby’s digestive and immune systems healthy.

When and how to collect colostrum

If you have a premature baby or a baby in the NICU who cannot breastfeed right away, you can collect your colostrum for your baby. The NICU team can give your baby colostrum through a feeding tube or into their mouth. Even one drop of colostrum inside a baby's cheek can provide babies with immune-boosting benefits!

To start collecting colostrum for your baby, talk to your nurse or healthcare provider for support. Starting as soon as possible after birth is ideal.

There are two ways to collect colostrum: hand expression and with a breast pump.

Hand expression. Hand expression is a convenient way to start expressing milk and doesn’t require a breast pump. Hand expression can be a good way to collect those first drops of colostrum. Your nurse, midwife or lactation consultant can help you get started.
Pumping. Using a breast pump is the most effective way to signal your body to make milk and collect milk long-term. You should pump about 8-10 times in 24 hours and start as early after birth as possible.

Tools to help you collect colostrum

To make collecting colostrum as easy as possible, consider having some helpful items on hand:

Sterile spoons, syringes or medicine cups. If you are hand-expressing, you will need a way to collect any drops of colostrum. Sometimes colostrum may form beads or drops on the nipple that can be scooped up or collected in a syringe.
Breast pump, collection tubing and bottles. If you will be expressing milk for a few days, weeks or longer, a breast pump is the way to go. Talk to your nurse, lactation consultant or midwife for guidance.
Specialty colostrum collectors. You may want to consider a specialty colostrum collector for extra convenience and to ensure every last drop of colostrum gets to your baby. These special kits can include sterile tubes designed for scooping colostrum during hand expression, or adaptors that fit onto breast pumps to prevent colostrum drops from getting lost in the pump parts.
Although these tools are not essential, some parents may find they bring peace of mind knowing that every drop of precious colostrum is collected. Talk to your lactation consultant to learn more.

Whether you express colostrum by hand, with a pump, or use a specialty colostrum collection tool, it is normal to see only a few drops at first. Remember that every drop of colostrum is an extraordinary gift to your baby and is perfectly tailored to protect your baby and meet their needs!