Around half of pregnant mums in Perth are turning to pre-expressed colostrum over formula during hospital stays, research from ECU suggests.
Antenatal colostrum expression (ACE) involves hand expressing colostrum in the last few weeks of pregnancy, which can then be safely frozen and used in place of formula in hospital.
ECU Associate Professor in nutrition and dietetics Therese O’Sullivan found that rise in popularity of ACE is likely to continue due to its role in increasing breastfeeding confidence, assisting with the development of hand expressing skills and decreasing reliance on formula in a baby’s early days of life.
“Being fed colostrum for the first few days of life has many benefits which are now more well known,” she said.
“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 defence.
“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.”
Colostrum, often referred to as ‘liquid gold’, is the first type of breast milk produced by a pregnant mother and provides important nutrition and immunological factors for the newborn for around three days after the birth.
After this time there is a change to transitional milk for approximately two weeks, followed by the production of mature breast milk.
Previous research has demonstrated that ACE is safe for low-risk women when performed from around 36 weeks’ gestation.
Ideally the colostrum is collected during pregnancy, 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 added: “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.”