Expressing and storing colostrum antenatally for use in the newborn period

Abstract

Colostrum is universally acknowledged as the perfect first food for infants. Oxytocin is the hormone of both labour and lactation but the literature shows that it does not always induce labour. A review of the custom of expressing antenatally by all women is followed by the maternal and infant medical reasons for expressing and storing colostrum. A suggested regime for expressing and storage of colostrum during pregnancy is included with advice about skin-to-skin contact in the first twenty-four hours to maximise breastmilk output in the long term.