I have very occasionally used maybe 5 drops (that's all it usually takes) of sterile water from a 3cc syringe squirted over the colostrum I see in the pump flange, which then runs down through the valve and allows easy collection of colostrum. I am not sure how much sterile water we could/should use, but I feel that 2 or 3 mls (if we needed / wanted that much) is preferable to formula. But we do not want to give the baby too much water which could affect electrolyte/water balance I'm sure.

I do not see a problem with prenatal expression of colostrum for select moms (diabetics or moms expecting very large or small term baby) whose babies are more likely to need supplementation due to glucose issues. However, what if mom cannot express prenatally, will that affect her decision to bf and confidence?

I like spoon feeding ebm but mothers seem to have a hard time expressing, and I've got a couple complaints about putting my hands on a mom even after asking permission to help with expressing this way. The moms are always amazed at the amts I am able to express compared to what they do. Obviously the goal is to teach them to be self-sufficient. I teach to give 5 to 10 little puddles (the very center of a plastic spoon found on our unit) from each breast if possible.

Laurie Wheeler RN MN IBCLC
BMH-UC Breastfeeding Resource Center
 "Opinions expressed above are not necessarily those of BMH-Union County or Baptist Memorial Healthcare Corporation."


Baptist 100. Well beyond a century.

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