Results: Eighteen (47%) infants developed hypoglycaemia (blood glucose level less than 2 mmol/L) during the first 2 h of life. There was no difference in the cord blood glucose levels between infants with or without hypoglycaemia (3.7 ± 1.1 vs 4.5 ± 1.1 mmol/L, respectively). Infants of mothers with diabetes diagnosed prior to 28 weeks gestation were at a higher risk of developing hypoglycaemia (8 of 10 vs 10 of 28, OR 7.2, 95%CI 1.3–40.7). Hypoglycaemic infants were of significantly higher birthweight, and were more likely to be born to Caucasian mothers and by Caesarean section. Raised maternal fructosamine blood level, the need for insulin treatment or the infant’s haematocrit were not different between infants with or without hypoglycaemia.

Collect your colostrum with the sterilised syringe and if necessary transfer to the larger sterilised container. Colostrum contains the all-important immunological properties that helps build babies own immune system and fill babies’ gut with the healthy bacteria that protects against diseases and allergies.There was a mother struggling and she didn’t have any and I couldn’t have been happier to give her some of mine. (GDM, 30s) Step 3: Cup your breast in a C shape with your thumb above the nipple and the first few fingers below. Then start to compress and release in a repetitive, rhythmic process. Colostrum is the first breast milk which your body starts to produce during pregnancy, it is the optimal source of nutrition for your new born baby because it: Before you have your baby and in the first few days after birth only hand express. You could practise in the bath or shower as relaxation and warmth often helps with expressing. It is very normal to get nothing initially, even learning how to hand express will get you off to a great start for when you have your baby

Mothers start to produce colostrum (early milk) while pregnant. Being able to express colostrum is a useful skill to have. Saving your expressed colostrum may also be beneficial if your baby is likely to need special care after birth. Why express while pregnant? Don’t expect large quantities. It’s common to get only a few drops at a time. Remember it’s called “liquid gold” because every drop is full of healthy nutrients and antibodies! Your baby has a cleft lip or palate, intrauterine growth restriction, or a congenital condition, such as a heart condition or Down syndrome. You are likely to see small droplets or drips of colostrum appear as you express. Express directly into the container so you save every precious drop. If you’ve been given syringes and find it difficult to collect your colostrum, express into a small clean container (e.g. cup) and draw the colostrum up into the syringe. During your pregnancy, your breasts will start to produce colostrum (the exact timing varies from person to person). You can collect and freeze this milk during the last few weeks of your pregnancy. This is known as ‘colostrum harvesting’.People who have had breast surgery, or a history of low milk supply, can benefit from prenatal harvesting of colostrum as it ‘fires up’ the milk ducts and gets colostrum moving through them,” explains Leigh Anne O’Connor, a lactation consultant in New York City.