Are you wondering what the heck antenatal hand expression is? Essentially, this term refers to collecting the initial breast milk you produce — called colostrum — before your child arrives. Our team of Registered Nurses can walk you through the entire process, after gaining your healthcare providers permission, around 37 weeks.
How it can help
- Build a freezer stash of colostrum to bring with you to the hospital. Sometimes infants come out of the womb and aren’t ready to feed, or have an increased risk of low blood sugars (size of infant — large or small, infants with diabetic mothers, and/or infants who were stressed during labour/delivery). Bringing your own breast milk to give as a supplement helps avoid formula supplementation.
- You will become comfortable handling your breasts. You haven’t fed a baby before and it takes a while to feel competent at this new skill. Hand expressing during pregnancy makes this transition that much easier and way less stressful.
- It can help increase your milk supply. As Mama Coaches, we see this all the time with our clients. If you’ve had supply issues with your previous children or want to give yourself the best chance at building a solid milk supply, this can help.
What’s included:
- One virtual 60 minute session where we will teach you how to hand express
- Review the benefits of antenatal hand expression (read about them HERE)
- Supplemental teaching on breastfeeding and what to expect
- Positioning and common breastfeeding challenges
- All supplies needed to safely store your expressed milk
- Our 40 page Feeding eBook
Antenatal hand expression is safest after 37 weeks gestation, and it is recommended you do not start before talking to your health care provider first.
Be sure to book in advance as appointment dates and times fill up quickly. If you prefer to learn on your own — click here to check our ONLINE course.