Tiny drops. Lifesaving impact. In the critical first hours of life, colostrum—the first milk produced by mothers—plays a vital role in building newborn immunity. Colostrum is the ideal first food, closely resembling amniotic fluid to ease the transition to life outside the womb. It’s rich in immune factors, biologically active proteins, and nutrients that help build an infant's immune system.1 In addition to being the first line of defense against infections,1 it can minimize jaundice,2 and hypoglycemia.3
Yet despite its critical role, colostrum is often difficult to manage when not fed directly from the breast. Without the right tools, its tiny volumes can be lost in pump parts, wasted in containers, or exposed to contamination. Backed by over 60 years of expertise in lactation science and a deep commitment to infant health, Medela has developed a comprehensive solution to meet this challenge while empowering caregivers with the tools and flexibility they need to protect every drop and deliver colostrum with confidence.
A Seamless, End-to-End System
Medela is pleased to introduce the only holistic colostrum solution designed to protect every drop—from collection to administration. Whether feeding immediately after expression or when delayed oral or enteral feeding is needed. This versatile system is designed to freeze, thaw, warm, and administer colostrum—while protecting it from loss and contamination.
Medela’s integrated system includes three key components that work together to optimize colostrum collection and storage, colostrum warming, and colostrum administration.
Colostrum Protector: Collects Colostrum Before Reaching Pump Parts. This innovative device is designed for clean, efficient collection directly from the Symphony® breast pump. It minimizes milk loss, reduces contamination risk, and can be frozen for up to 12 weeks. By safeguarding every drop, it helps reduce reliance on donor milk or formula and improves outcomes for pump-dependent parents and their newborns.
Waterless Milk Warmer™: Eliminate risk of water contamination. Medela’s Waterless Milk Warmer is the only hospital-grade neonatal milk warmer that uses innovative forced dry convection heat—rather than water—to safely thaw and warm feeds.
1 mL Oral Syringe: Eliminates dead space, reducing colostrum waste Medela’s 1 mL Oral Syringe is designed with a low-dead-space plunger tip to minimize colostrum waste during administration.
Designed for Clinical Confidence and Flexibility
Medela’s holistic colostrum solution is designed to adapt to the realities of neonatal care—whether colostrum is fed immediately after expression or stored for delayed or enteral feeding. The Waterless Milk Warmer integrates seamlessly with the Colostrum Protector, enabling safe, efficient thawing and warming. With clearly defined warming protocols, even the smallest volumes—such as 2 mL of frozen colostrum—are handled with precision to preserve their vital properties. To ensure precise delivery with minimal colostrum waste, Medela’s 1 mL Oral Syringe is ideal for administering colostrum in well baby or in the NICU for oral immune therapy (OIT).
Why It Matters
Colostrum is more than just early nutrition—it’s a critical intervention that can shape a newborn’s health trajectory. Medela’s system empowers healthcare professionals with the confidence and control they need to deliver colostrum safely, efficiently, and without compromise.
Additional resources and information
- Webinar - Colostrum: Fuel for Survival Webinar7/16/25. Watch on Demand
- Learn more about Medela’s Integrated Colostrum Solution
