NOT TRUE! Small amounts of colostrum are sufficient to feed baby in the first few days after birth because baby’s stomach is initially about the size of a cherry. 5-7 milliliters of colostrum per feeding is enough to fill baby’s small stomach. Feed baby on cue or demand, and at least eight times per 24 hours. If baby is sleepy, hand express your colostrum directly into baby’s mouth, or collect the colostrum on a teaspoon or in a small cup, then feed to baby by spoon, cup, or slip-tip syringe.
Ask the hospital lactation consultant or nurse to teach you how to do hand expression of breast milk. Practice hand expression at every breastfeeding, by initial breast massage followed by hand expressing drops of colostrum onto baby’s lips to entice him to nurse.
Check out Lactation Education Resources for detailed instructions with photos about hand expression: handouts-parents (lactationtraining.com)
Also here’s a video from Stanford Medicine to watch the technique of hand expression: Hand Expressing Milk | Newborn Nursery | Stanford Medicine
Another breastfeeding technique is breast compression, which the hospital lactation consultant or nurse may teach to you also. Breast compressions will stimulate milk let-down, which will keep milk flowing and baby drinking. Do breast compressions whenever baby stops suckling or begins to fall asleep.
Check out International Breastfeeding Centre (IBC) for detailed instructions about breast compressions: Breast Compression – International BreastFeeding Centre (ibconline.ca)
Also here’s a video from IBC to view the technique of breast compressions (see Video #1): Breast compression – International BreastFeeding Centre (ibconline.ca)
If baby is suckling poorly, uninterested, or too sleepy to breastfeed, double pumping (pump both breasts at the same time) every 2-3 hours for 15 minutes is recommended. Pumping will provide additional breast stimulation beyond just hand expression. Feed baby any colostrum you collect.
It is critical to establishing milk production in the first two weeks after birth, to stimulate the breasts and drain the milk frequently, even if pumping versus baby suckling at the breast. In other words, the earlier mother’s breast stimulation begins, and milk is removed frequently, production is established and milk supply increases.
Hold baby skin to skin as much as possible, and continue to put baby to breast on cue or demand, and before pumping. Feed baby any colostrum you collect from hand expression or pumping every 2-3 hours. Relax and try not to stress if your baby is uninterested in breastfeeding at the start. Skin to skin time, attempts to breastfeed at least eight times per 24 hours, hand expression, breast compressions, and pumping will stimulate your milk production, engage baby, and get him on track for frequent breastfeeding. Keep calm, and breastfeed on!!!
Check out these lactation supplies for collection and feeding of colostrum and breastfeeding book recommendations:
- Maymom Baby Feeding Cup; Disposable Reuseable Baby Cup, Short Term Infant Feeding Cup; First Milk Collection Cup; 1 oz (6ct): https://amzn.to/3yJTmZ3
- Haakaa Colostrum Collector Kit; Breast Milk Collector with Cotton Cloth Wipe and Storage Case, Ready-to-Use, Reusable, 4ml/6pcs: https://amzn.to/3SLlXE9
Haakaa product description:
Collect, store and feed colostrum: The Haakaa Colostrum Collector can cover all of this! Colostrum collector syringes can help you collect each drop of colostrum without waste. There is no need to transfer it to another container, keeping things safe and hygienic. Once collected, simply pop on the leak-proof cap, then store it directly in the fridge or freezer. When you’re ready to feed your newborn, gently squeeze the Haakaa colostrum milk collector to feed them your precious liquid gold! - Momcozy Colostrum Collector, Reusable Breast Milk Collector with Storage Case and Cotton Wipe, Portable Colostrum Container BPA Free, Multi-Use Collector 5ml-6pcs: https://amzn.to/46KDTEW
Momcozy product description:
Easy to Use – 5ml cylindrical design improves collector efficiency. Squeeze gently to create a stronger negative pressure effect and collect it through the nib, or remove the nib to directly collect the squeezed colostrum and cover it after collection. (Follow storage guidelines to store and freeze) Simply squeeze the colostrum dropper during feeding to deliver liquid gold to your newborn. - Book Resource- “Protecting Your Potential for Breastfeeding” by Kelly M. Durbin: https://amzn.to/4dDJL52
- Book Resource- “Making More Milk: The Breastfeeding Guide to Increasing Your Milk Production, Second Edition” by Lisa Marasco and Diana West: https://amzn.to/3WX0kmT
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