The ante natal colostrum harvesting bundle aims to support infant feeding advisors in the implementation of harvesting colostrum locally. The bundle enables users to visualise the work being undertaken in other boards and from there will allow users to select pieces of work that will support their own local implementation requirements.
Historically, when implementing new projects, infant feeding advisors spend a tremendous amount of time and effort linking with colleagues in other boards to enquire about processes which they have undertaken to implement a policy or procedure. This bundle aims to reduce this by providing everything in one place where infant feeding advisors can pick and mix the contents of the bundle to suit their local need.
It is important to highlight that the research into the risks and implications of ante natal colostrum harvesting remains limited but to date no risks of harvesting colostrum have been identified. The majority of studies have focused on diabetic women, due to the increased risk of formula supplementation in the post-natal period.
Emerging research on the benefits of the microbiome and epigenetics confirm the importance of skin to skin contact, early feeding and maximising exposure of the baby to the breast, which is available to view on the Unicef website.
At no time should the use of colostrum, that has been harvested, impact on these vital early feeding processes. It is crucial to continue with normal breastfeeding care and not use ante-natal harvested colostrum instead of mother’s own fresh milk at any time. Important points to remember are:
With special thanks to Barry Collard, Health Improvement Specialist, NHS Highland, for the graphics support provided to produce this bundle.
Advising women with diabetes in pregnancy to express breastmilk in late pregnancy (Diabetes and Antenatal Milk Expressing [DAME]): a multicentre, unblinded, randomised controlled trial
Foster, DA, et al (2017), Advising women with diabetes in pregnancy to express breastmilk in late pregnancy (Diabetes and Antenatal Milk Expressing [DAME]): a multicentre, unblinded, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet.
Evaluating antenatal breastmilk expression outcomes: a scoping review
Foudil-Bey, I., Murphy, M.S.Q., Dunn, S. et al. Evaluating antenatal breastmilk expression outcomes: a scoping review. Int Breastfeed J 16, 25 (2021).
Perspectives and experiences of collecting antenatal colostrum in women who have had diabetes during pregnancy: a North Queensland semistructured interview study
Jordan Rita Rose Casey, Erin Louise Mogg, Jennifer Banks, Kathleen Braniff, Clare Heal. BMJ Open. 2019; 9(1): e021513. Published online 2019 Jan 3.
‘Is there any point in me doing this?’ Views and experiences of women in the Diabetes and Antenatal Milk Expressing (DAME) trial
Anita M. Moorhead, Lisa H. Amir, Della A. Forster, Sharinne B. Crawford
Matern Child Nutr. 2022 Apr; 18(2): e13307. Published online 2021 Dec 22.