Colostrum Harvesting

[Teddybear120]

Hello- I’m probably way over thinking this but I hoped someone would be able to advise.
I have started harvesting some colostrum. I didn’t do it with my first but we had feeding issues so it seems like a good idea.
I seem to be getting about 1-2ml in total each time having followed advice re warm, relax etc. I’m just not sure if I am storing it right.
I have some 1ml syringes from the midwife. I struggle to coordinate sucking it up so have been hand expressing into a small sterile bottle then sucking it up with the syringe. I know I loose a few drops this way but I just can’t coordinate it another way.
I have some small sticky labels- do I stick these to the syringe? If not where? Do I put the syringe back into its packaging or can I put a few of them into a freezer bag loose together (but labelled?). I didn’t ask the midwife and I know it probably varies from unit to unit and like I said I’m probably over thinking it but I’m worried if it is wrong it won’t be usable as not sterile or something so any help gratefully received.

I would put each one back in its individual packaging and then all together in the freezer bag. I'm sure if you don't put them in their packaging it'll be fine too though, I guess it's just an extra layer of clean! Re labelling, if you can attach a sticky label to each one with your name/dob/hospital number that would probably be best. I spoke to midwife about it this week and she suggested having them at home and then husband popping back and grabbing them if needed. I'll probably take a few in, in a freezer bag with an icepack, so they are ready to go if need be (planned section) and then have the rest at home so husband can go grab them if need be.
(I didn't manage for last one as she turned up so early - 31 weeks! - that it wasn't an option, but I did spend a few weeks with her on nicu so got very good at expressing and freezing and the whole sterile malarkey)

Thanks. Yes I’ve got a small cool bag which I used with DS when I was pumping for him with some ice blocks to transport them. I think I’ll aim to take about 10 ml worth and then DH can come get more if needed. DS was a reluctant feeder and never really took to BF so in the end I was pumping exclusively for a couple
of months until I couldn’t keep up with his needs so I got good with freezing bags of milk but this but is new to me. Good luck with your baby.

I put the lid back on and stored them in a tupaware container. And then just took a small tupaware container into hospital with me and simply labelled the container.

I also used a sterile teaspoon to collect mine and suck it up. Maybe at one point a small plastic cup with a handle but either way I used the same method as you.

I have used a sterile, unused (obviously!) sample pot that you give the midwife your wee in to express in to..then sucked up from that in a syringe. As for storage I've labelled each syringe with the date and put them in a plastic freezer bag which I've labelled with my name and hospital number. They are sat in the freezer where they will probably stay because we are bound to forget them 🤣