Colostrum: your first milk

The fluid your breasts produce in the first few days after birth is called colostrum. It's thick and usually a golden yellow colour. It's a very concentrated food, so your baby will only need a small amount (about a teaspoonful) at each feed.

Your baby might want to feed quite often, perhaps every hour to begin with, and that’s normal. They'll then start to have fewer but longer feeds once your breasts start to produce more ‘mature’ milk after a few days. It’s good to remember that the more you breastfeed, the more milk you'll make.

Some people choose to collect this colostrum before the baby is born. This is called antenatal colostrum harvesting or expressing. More information about this can be found here.

Positioning your baby to feed

There is a lot of support that can be given to you by your midwife, both in the hospital and at home, from your health visitors, maternity support workers, and breastfeeding peer supporters.

The main principles are:

• Position your baby close to you and get comfy. Take a moment to think about how to make yourself as comfortable as possible. Do you need a pillow under your arm? Would it be nice to lie on your side?
• Allow your baby’s head to move. It may be best to stabilise their shoulders and neck. It’s best to avoid having your hand or anything else touching their head.  
• Get baby close enough to your breast that their chin is indenting your breast
• Try to line up their nose to your nipple – so that when they attach to you, they get lots of your breast tissue in their mouth rather than just your nipple, as this can be very sore!
• When they open their mouth wide (you may need to give this some time or give your breast a gentle squeeze so that baby can smell the milk) move baby towards your breast in a swift movement so that they get as much in their mouth as possible.
• Finally, once baby is on, make sure you’re comfortable again. If it’s painful, it may be that baby didn’t get enough of your breast inside their mouth. You can always try again!

For a step-by-step guide on positioning and attachment, the NHS has some helpful resources here. 

 

Your ‘let-down reflex’

Your baby's sucking makes the muscles in your breasts squeeze milk towards your nipples. This is called the let-down reflex.

Some women get a tingling feeling which can be quite strong, while others feel nothing at all.

You'll see your baby respond when your milk lets down - their quick sucks will change to deep rhythmic swallows as the milk begins to flow. You might notice your baby pause after the first quick sucks while they wait for more milk to be delivered.

This let-down reflex can sometimes be so strong that your baby coughs and splutters. If this is happening, you could try speaking to your midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding supporter to get some help with this.

If your baby seems to be falling asleep before the deep swallowing stage of feeds, it might be that they’re not properly attached to your breast. Midwives, health visitors or breastfeeding supporters can help with this too! They can give suggestions about your baby's positioning and attachment.

Sometimes you'll notice your milk letting down if you hear your baby crying or when you have a warm bath or shower - this is normal so don’t panic!

How often should I feed my baby?

In the first week, your baby might want to feed very often - it could be every hour in the first few days! Try to follow their feeding cues. 

It’s absolutely fine to feed your baby as often as they want and for as long as they want. They'll start to have fewer, but longer feeds after a few days. As a very rough guide, your baby should feed 8-12 times, or more, every 24 hours during the first few weeks. We know this sounds like a lot, but remember that it’s a great opportunity for you to be bonding with close contact. It's fine to feed your baby whenever they’re hungry, when your breasts feel full or if you just want to have a cuddle. Remember that it's not possible to overfeed a breastfed baby!

Building up your milk supply

Around 2-4 days after birth you might notice that your breasts become fuller. This is often called your milk ‘coming in’. Your body is incredibly clever, and the amount of milk you make will change in response to your baby's needs. Each time your baby feeds, your body knows to make more milk for the next feed, so if they’re feeding often your body will make more milk.

It’s absolutely fine to feed your baby as often as they want and for as long as they want. This is called responsive feeding. In other words, responding to your baby's needs. It's also sometimes called on-demand or baby-led feeding.

In the beginning, it can feel like you're doing nothing but feeding! But gradually you and your baby will get into a pattern and the amount of milk you produce will settle down, so hang on in there - it will get easier!

It's important to breastfeed at night (at least one feed between midnight and 6am) because this is when you produce more hormones (prolactin) to build up your milk supply.

Remember, you can speak to a midwife or health visitor if you’re worried about breastfeeding or you think your baby isn’t getting enough milk.

How often should I feed my baby?

In the first week, your baby might want to feed very often - it could be every hour in the first few days! Try to follow their feeding cues. 

It’s absolutely fine to feed your baby as often as they want and for as long as they want. They'll start to have fewer, but longer feeds after a few days. As a very rough guide, your baby should feed 8-12 times, or more, every 24 hours during the first few weeks. We know this sounds like a lot, but remember that it’s a great opportunity for you to be bonding with close contact. It's fine to feed your baby whenever they’re hungry, when your breasts feel full or if you just want to have a cuddle. Remember that it's not possible to overfeed a breastfed baby!

Signs feeding is going well

It is common to wonder if baby is getting enough milk when you first start breastfeeding but there are many signs that tell us that feeding is going well. 

There is a lot of support that can be given to you by your midwife, both in the hospital and at home, from your health visitors, maternity support workers, breastfeeding peer supporters.

Nappies

How often your baby produces wet and dirty nappies is a good indicator of how much milk they are taking in.

The contents of your baby’s nappies will change during the first week. These changes will help you know if feeding is going well. Speak to your midwife if you have any concerns.

Weight 

Weight loss of up to about 10% of birth weight is normal in the first week. If baby is alert, responsive and has plenty of wet and dirty nappies, this usually means they are getting enough milk. After two weeks baby should begin to steadily gain weight. If you have any concerns about your baby’s weight contact your midwife, health visitor or GP.

How often baby feeds

Every baby is different. Some may go for longer periods between feeds than others and time spent feeding may vary from feed to feed. If a baby is having a growth spurt or needs extra comfort and reassurance, they may feed more often. It is normal for a baby to wake frequently during the night for feeds and isn’t a sign that they aren’t getting enough milk.

If baby is feeding 8 to 12 times in a 24-hour period and each feed is lasting between 5 to 40 minutes this can be a good sign that feeding is going well.

It is important to always respond to baby’s cues that they are hungry or have had enough. 

Comfort

Feeding your baby should be comfortable and not painful. Your breasts should feel softer after a feed and your nipples should look very similar at the end of a feed as they did at the beginning of a feed. They shouldn’t be flattened, pinched or white. 

Correct positioning and attachment of your baby is the best way to ensure that baby is getting the most milk at every feed and ensures that you are comfortable. For information and support with positioning and attachment, you can speak to your midwife, health visitor, local peer support group or contact us. 

Baby’s Behaviour

Just like Mum, baby should be calm and relaxed during a feed. After 3 or 4 days you may be able to hear them swallowing. You may notice a rhythm to their sucking, which usually starts with a few rapid sucks followed by big long sucks with occasional pauses. Baby’s cheeks should be rounded and not hollow when sucking and they may come off the breast on their own or fall asleep on the breast. These behaviours show that feeding is going well.

If you have any questions or concerns about feeding you can contact your health professional or us. 

Feeding baby at night

It is normal and essential for babies to wake at night and it often takes several months for baby’s pattern of sleep to become established. New-born babies have a small tummy and are growing fast so need to feed often, therefore they wake at least every 2-3 hours, sometimes more often. As they grow, they go slightly longer between feeds.

By 3 months, some may settle for a sleep for up to 5 hours.

By 5 months, half of all babies may have started to sleep for an 8 hour stretch on some nights.

Generally, babies do not sleep all night every night, until they are close to one year old.  A quarter of babies may still not regularly sleep all night by one year old.

There are many different reasons baby may wake in the night apart from being hungry.  They may be uncomfortable, scared, too hot or too cold or needing comforting.  As adults, we have learned to meet these needs ourselves by having a drink or taking a blanket off for example but babies have no way of meeting these needs on their own and rely on their parent to meet them.

Babies need to be close to their mums to be comforted both day and night.  Keeping baby nearby day and night means parents can respond quickly, so baby feels safe and secure.  This helps baby’s brain development.

Try not to stimulate your baby too much. As soon as baby starts to wake, (shows signs of feeding cues) offer a feed so it is easier to settle them again, talk to them in a soft, quiet voice and avoid changing their nappy or clothing unless you really need to. 

Early Feeding Cues

• Sucking fingers
• Restlessness
• Murmuring sounds
• Routing 

Whether it’s the daytime or nighttime, there can be risks around where babies sleep.  The safest place for baby is in a cot in the same room you are in for the first 6 months.  It is particularly dangerous to fall asleep with a bay on a sofa or sitting in a chair.

If you are breastfeeding, night feeds are important for your milk supply.

If formula feeding you will need to think through how to prepare for night feeds.

Formula feeding

To reduce disturbance at night when bottle feeding, it is important to be organised.  Powdered milk is not sterile and can cause infections if made up in advance, therefore you will need to make up feeds during the night.  

If you are using formula milk, think through how you will manage night feeds.

1. You could make a bottle in the kitchen.  
2. You could use a flask of boiling water, measured powder in a sterilised container, sterilised bottle, and a jug of cold water to cool the feed down.  The vacuum flask does not need to be sterilised but should be clean and only used for your baby. The water used to make the feed needs to be above 70°C. If the flask is full and securely sealed, the water will stay above 70°C for several hours.
3. Another way is to buy ready prepared feeds, but this could work out expensive over time.

Never force your baby to take more than they need in the hope that they will sleep for longer. This can cause them to become colicky and distressed and may result in baby being overweight in the long term. Don’t add cereal or any other substance to feeds as this is dangerous for your baby. Always follow manufacturers’ guidelines with regard to amounts. 

Specialised nighttime milk is not advised.

Breastfeeding

Research shows that breastmilk changes all the time, in response to all sorts of things, like the needs and health of your baby, temperature, and the time of day. For most mothers, breastmilk will gradually increase in fat content throughout the day. During the evening, young babies often cluster feed, taking in frequent feeds of this fattier milk, which tends to satisfy them enough to have their longest stretch of sleep. This cluster feeding in the early months may go on late into the evening when you were hoping you would be asleep, which can naturally feel exhausting.

Night feeds are important for keeping up your milk supply when breastfeeding.  Breastfeeding mums have a better quality of sleep due to the hormonal effect of breastfeeding. Mums who are breastfeeding can learn to feed lying down so that night feeds are more restful. 

Why do parents co-sleep?

Night-time feeding is easier.

Babies cry less when close to their parent/s.

Both parents and babies get more sleep. 

Research suggests babies find separation stressful, even if they appear to be asleep.

At some point around half of parent’s co-sleep or bed share.

Parents bed share for different reasons. Some to make feeding easier, others for bonding, especially if they have to leave their baby during the day; others do so when their baby is ill, to be able to pay close attention; Sometimes people bed-share because they cannot afford a cot/crib. Other parents don’t plan to bed share but fall asleep while feeding, so, whether you plan to bed share or because you may doze off accidentally it is worth knowing how to bedshare safely just in case.  Never sleep with baby on a sofa, chair or waterbed!!  Couches and recliners have too many cracks, corners, crevices, and cushions to be safe places for sharing sleep, or even for really drowsy nursing. That’s why planning ahead for a safe place to sleep with your baby is important, even if you don’t plan to use it.  It is not recommended that babies sleep on soft surfaces such as pods or nests. If you choose to co-sleep with your baby the safest place is a clear space on a firm flat mattress the same as we would advise with a cot.

Adult beds aren’t designed to keep babies safe; parents must do this!!

There are some important points to remember before taking baby into bed with you

• Make sure baby can’t fall into gaps between the bed and wall or other furniture.
• Keep baby away from any pillows. 
• Remove heavy bedding that might cover the baby. 
• Think about the height of your bed and whether you have a hard floor in case baby falls. 
• Don’t leave your baby alone in the bed, as even very young babies can wriggle into a dangerous position.

When is bed sharing unsafe?

• It is not safe to bed-share in the early months if your baby was born very small or preterm. 
• Do not sleep with your baby when you have been drinking any alcohol or taking drugs that may cause drowsiness (legal or illegal). 
• Do not sleep with your baby if you or anyone else is a smoker. 
• Do not put yourself in a position where you could doze off with your baby on a sofa or armchair.
• Be careful if you are unwell.
• You are extremely tired.

How to bed share safely 

Studies of breastfeeding mothers and babies who routinely bed-share show that they automatically sleep close together, facing one another and waking at the same time. Research shows that mothers who bed share with their breastfed babies adopt a naturally protective position, making overlaying difficult and smothering by pillows or bedding unlikely. This has been referred to as the ‘cuddle curl’ position.  This does not apply to formula-fed babies.

Mothers place the baby on its back to sleep, level with their breasts, on the mattress surface (away from pillows). The mother adopts a protective position in the bed, curled around the baby, with her arm above his head and her knees bent under his feet. This protects the baby from cold, heat, bedding and bed-partners. Be sure your partner is aware if you have placed the baby between you.

A three-sided ‘bedside’, or ‘side-car’, crib which attaches to your bed may be a suitable option if you want to be close to your baby, but have concerns about bed-sharing safety.

What’s happening tonight?

Every night is different, you may be on holiday or staying with friends or baby may be ill.  Or you may have had a night out and had a few drinks, so check EVERY night to make sure it is safe to bed share!

Further reading

https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/08/Caring-for-your-baby-at-night-web.pdf

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/co-sleeping/

Feeding out and about

Early days

After giving birth to your baby, you may prefer to be close to home. Taking things easy and lots of breastfeeding will help you regain your strength and build up a good milk supply while getting to know your baby. When you feel ready to go out, a short walk or drive to your local shops or to visit a friend or relative may be enough. Remember to listen to your body and pace your activity to your energy level. Going out can prevent you from feeling isolated and give structure to your day. Breastfed babies are very portable—with your baby in a sling or carrier, you may only need a nappy or two and away you go. Babies will often sleep contentedly when carried close to their mothers, so you may even get there and back while your baby is asleep.

Mothers often worry about breastfeeding in public spaces such as shops and cafés. But the law protects you when you breastfeed in a public place and on premises. It is against the law to discriminate against a breastfeeding mother. A crying baby will guarantee an audience so watch for early feeding cues so you have time to find a suitable place. Other people probably won’t notice you’re breastfeeding if you’re relaxed and confident—especially if you continue chatting or reading the menu and avoid eye contact with passers-by. If you prefer to keep covered then lifting your top from the waist means your baby hides your tummy and you remain covered on top. A layered look can help—depending on the weather try an open blouse, shirt or cardigan over a t-shirt. A breastfeeding vest can cover your tummy. Some baby slings and carriers can also hide a feeding baby. Or dress your baby in a sun hat. If you feel self-conscious, try practising in front of your partner, a friend or a mirror.

Planning ahead

With time, you’ll learn what you’re likely to need while out with your baby. Include nappies, baby wipes and a change of baby clothes. It’s also worth taking a favourite toy for older babies. Don’t forget a bottle of water for yourself— breastfeeding can make you thirsty. A baby sling or carrier can be easier than a pram or buggy where there are steps or uneven surfaces. It also keeps your baby close. If you have shopping to carry, a pushchair can be helpful—you can still take a sling to carry your baby if he gets restless! 

Handling leaks

Breast pads inside your bra will provide some protection from leaks if you experience them. Some breast pads even prevent leaking. Avoid plastic-backed pads, which can trap wetness next to the skin and cause soreness. If you feel the tingling of your milk beginning to flow, pressing hard on your nipples for several seconds can prevent leaking. You can do this by crossing your arms tightly across your chest and pressing firmly on your nipples with the palms of your hands. Hold for a few seconds before releasing and all should be well. If it doesn’t work the first time, try again for a little longer. If your breasts feel full, this is a sign to take the time to nurse your baby. Patterned fabrics, layered clothing and scarves can all hide evidence of leaks.

Where to breastfeed

If you prefer privacy, many public places have mother and baby rooms where you can sit to nurse and change your baby’s nappy. Some clothes shops will make a changing room available to a nursing mother at quiet times. Mothers breastfeed in many public places with seating areas: shopping, leisure and visitor centres, libraries, museums and more. Look out for quiet spots with fewer distractions as some babies insist on looking around instead of feeding when there’s a lot of hustle and bustle! A town garden or park may be an option when the weather is good. Or visit a café or the family room of a pub and quench your thirst at the same time. You can also breastfeed while walking with your baby in a sling.

A flexible approach

Rather than thinking of nursing as a major event around which to structure the day, it can help to treat it as you would a coffee break—something that happens along with the other events of the day. If you nurse your baby at fixed intervals, he may need to nurse for an hour or more to take sufficient milk. It can be hard to get out and about with a baby who is feeding for long periods of time. While a baby nursing little and often is more likely to need to breastfeed while you are out, it can be easier to fit in shorter nursing sessions. Many babies become very efficient at breastfeeding by the age of three months and feeds can be accomplished very quickly.

Some babies find it difficult to cope when travelling, on holiday, visiting family etc if they have a strict routine which can’t be followed because of travel arrangements and lack of access to a separate room for sleep. When you follow your baby’s natural feeding and sleeping rhythms such problems are less likely and you may feel more relaxed about visiting relatives or taking a family holiday.

Time for social activity

Many new mothers find it helpful to meet up with other breastfeeding mums. Local LLL groups are a good starting point—offering mother-to-mother support and the chance to socialise. You’ll also be able to see how other mothers handle breastfeeding in a public place and gather ideas. You may well develop good friendships to support you in your new mothering role.

Travelling with your baby

Breastmilk is the ultimate travel food. There’s no need to carry any feeding equipment and your baby’s favourite food will always be on hand, even if your journey is delayed.

Public transport

When hopping on and off buses and trains a carrier or sling is a real boon, with or without a pushchair. If you take a pushchair, modern train doors are usually wide enough and many buses have low floors for easy access. A backpack can be a useful handbag, leaving your hands free for your baby.

In the car

Plan to stop frequently and give your baby breaks from his car seat. It can help to time long journeys for when he usually sleeps. Avoid rush hour if you can. Place your car seat where you can safely see your baby as you drive. An extra mirror can be useful if your baby travels in the back. Bear in mind that if your baby gets upset this can distract you while driving. Letting someone else drive when possible leaves you free to calm your baby. Babies are usually happier in the car if they can see mum or another adult. You could talk or sing to your baby to reassure him you are there. If your baby doesn’t like the car it may be easier to take public transport so you can hold and nurse him as you travel.

Flying

A sling or soft carrier can be really convenient at the airport. It can also give you privacy as you nurse during the flight. It can be useful to request a bulkhead seat to give you more space. Alternatively having an aisle seat allows you to get up easily if your baby is restless without disturbing other passengers.

Take a few of your baby’s favourite toys and, if possible, familiar snacks if he has started eating solid food. Breastfeeding during take off and landing can help equalize the pressure in your baby’s ears, keeping him comfortable. However, to comply with seat belt regulations you may need to nurse in an unusual position. If seat belts make breastfeeding too awkward, offering your baby a finger or suitable toy to suck on may do the trick. When the seat belt light goes out, you can nurse him as normal.

Special Occasions

Breastfeeding doesn’t mean you can’t go to weddings or other formal dos. You can even be a bridesmaid and breastfeed!

References

Written by Karen Butler, Sue Upstone & mothers of La Leche League Great Britain

https://www.laleche.org.uk/out-about-with-your-breastfed-baby/

Further Reading

Supporting Women’s Right to Breastfeed

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding  LLLI. London: Pinter & Martin, 2010.

Breastfeeding in Public Spaces

Expressing your milk

Why would I need to hand express colostrum before my baby is born?

You may have been asked to hand express some colostrum before the birth of your baby for a number of reasons. There may be a medical condition that your baby has that will require them to be cared for in the neonatal unit.  If that’s the case, your baby may not be able to feed directly from you in those early days and may need to be fed through a feeding tube or via syringe.  Being able to give your baby your milk will be of great benefit to them. Babies that are born to mothers with diabetes may have some difficulties in keeping their blood glucose at the correct level. By expressing some colostrum antenatally, it can help them to stabilise their blood glucose straight after birth and for a short time after. Some people will choose to express purely to stimulate their milk production or to relieve engorgement.

Once you are 37 weeks pregnant you can start by hand expressing twice a day and when you are ready to increase you can work up to four times a day. Very occasionally expressing can stimulate mild contractions. If these occur each time you express then you need to stop expressing and contact your midwife for further information.

What will I be expressing?

Colostrum is the thick and sticky milk that you begin to produce during pregnancy and the first few days after birth. Its colour can change from a watery looking colour to yellow. Colostrum contains everything your baby needs in the first few days including proteins, fats and infection-fighting antibodies, and it will help stabilise your baby’s sugar levels. Colostrum is only produced in small amounts at a time, but as a baby’s tummy is only as big as a small marble when they are born they’ll only need a small amount to be full. 

Expressing by hand

Expressing by hand is recommended in pregnancy and in those first few days, as it a gentle way to express colostrum. By hand expressing it can allow you to encourage the milk flow from a particular part of the breast. This can be helpful if you find that one of your milk ducts becomes blocked. You will need to hold a sterilised syringe, spoon, bottle or container below your breast to catch any milk that flows. It may be best to have someone help you!

• Before you start, wash your hands with soap and warm water
• Have something sterilised ready to collect the milk in
• Gently massage your breasts for a couple of minutes - the most effective technique is a gentle ‘dragging’ from the outer parts of your breast towards the nipple using your fingers together – imagine you are moving the milk towards the nipple.
• Cup your breast with one hand (easiest to use the arm on the same side)
• With your other hand, form a "C" shape with your forefinger and thumb
• Place your fingers on either side of your nipple and then open them wider so that they rest outside of the areola (the pigmented area around your nipple)
• Squeeze very gently whilst pushing ‘inwards’ towards your breastbone, keeping your finger and thumb a few centimetres away from your nipple. This will gently compress your milk ducts. Do not squeeze the nipple itself as you don’t want to make it sore. This process should not hurt or leave any marks on your skin.
• Release the pressure to allow the milk ducts to refill, then repeat, building up a rhythm. Try not to slide your fingers over the skin as this can lead to skin irritation.
• When drops start to appear, you can start collecting the milk
• If no drops appear, don’t be disheartened. Try moving your finger and thumb around to a different area (imagine around your nipple is a clock, move your fingers from 6 to 12 to 3 to 9 position)
• When the flow slows down, move your fingers round to a different section of your breast, and repeat
• When the flow from one breast has slowed or 20 minutes has elapsed, swap to the other breast.

Expressing milk with a breast pump

Breast pumps can either be manual or electric. Manual pumps (otherwise known as hand pumps) are often cheaper. They are generally gentler on your breasts than electric pumps as you can control the speed and suction by hand. They may take a little longer to collect your milk, but are a fantastic option for expressing on the go.

Electric pumps are great for when you have an established milk supply. They will come with controls to alter the speed and suction, and often come with different-sized attachments so you can get a perfect fit for your breast shape. A pump should never cause any bruising or soreness, so if it does, you may have it on too high a setting. Some electric pumps are portable (you can place them in your bra) which allows you to move around – this may be practical if you have other young children to care for whilst you’re expressing.

When using a pump of any kind, you need to make ensure that the pump and container are both sterilised before every use. You may also be able to hire some hand or electric pumps in your local area.  Talk to your midwife or local breastfeeding supporter for details of hire services available.

Storing breast milk

When storing your colostrum/breast milk, place the sterilised container (syringe, bottle or breast milk storage bag):

• In the fridge for up to 8 days at 4C or lower (you can buy fridge thermometers online) – if you are not sure of the temperature of your fridge, or it is higher than 4C, use it within 3 days
• For 2 weeks in the ice compartment of a fridge
• For up to 6 months in a freezer, if it is -18C or lower
• Store it in the middle of the fridge to ensure the temperature stays as constant as possible. Avoid storing milk in the fridge doors as these are often not as cold.

If you have cooled the breast milk in the fridge, it can be carried in a cool bag with ice packs for up to 24 hours.  It can be beneficial to store your milk in smaller quantities to avoid any waste.  Always remember if you are freezing it, to ensure that you label it with the date and time you expressed.

Taking expressed milk into the hospital

When transporting milk in the hospital, place the frozen colostrum/milk into a cool bag with ice packs - this will help to maintain the cold temperature. Once you arrive at the hospital your milk can be put in a fridge or freezer. Please make sure you have labelled each individual container of milk with your full name, date of birth and the date and time you expressed.

Defrosting frozen breast milk

The best way to defrost frozen breast milk is slowly in the fridge.  If you do need to use it quickly, place it in a jug of warm water or hold it under a tap of warm running water. You may need to give the defrosted milk a little shake if it has separated.  Use straight away and ensure that you do not re-freeze any milk that has been defrosted.  If your baby is taking your milk from a bottle, it should be used within 1 hour and any leftover should be disposed of after the feed.

Warming breast milk

Some babies are happy to drink milk straight from the fridge or if your baby prefers, you can warm the milk to body temperature.  You can do this by putting the container of milk into a jug of warm water or run it under a warm tap. Never use a microwave to defrost or warm breast milk as this can cause hot spots, which could burn your baby’s mouth and damages the quality of the milk.

Storing breast milk

When storing your colostrum/breast milk, place the sterilised container (syringe, bottle or breast milk storage bag):

In the fridge for up to 8 days at 4C or lower (you can buy fridge thermometers online) – if you are not sure of the temperature of your fridge, or it is higher than 4C, use it within 3 days

• For 2 weeks in the ice compartment of a fridge
• For up to 6 months in a freezer, if it is -18C or lower
• Store it in the middle of the fridge to ensure the temperature stays as constant as possible. Avoid storing milk in the fridge doors as these are often not as cold.

If you have cooled the breast milk in the fridge, it can be carried in a cool bag with ice packs for up to 24 hours.  It can be beneficial to store your milk in smaller quantities to avoid any waste.  Always remember if you are freezing it, to ensure that you label it with the date and time you expressed.