Colostrum Harvesting Before Birth: What You Need to Know About Collecting Liquid Gold
Colostrum harvesting — also known as antenatal expression or prenatal colostrum collection — is the practice of hand-expressing and storing your first milk before your baby arrives. If you're in your third trimester and wondering whether colostrum harvesting is right for you, this guide will walk you through the benefits, safety considerations, and step-by-step instructions for collecting and storing this precious "liquid gold."
What Is Colostrum and Why Does It Matter?
Colostrum is the first milk your body produces during pregnancy and in the early days after birth. It's thick, often golden or yellow in color, and packed with antibodies, proteins, and immune-boosting properties that give your baby the strongest possible start in life.
Even though colostrum comes in small amounts — sometimes just drops — it's incredibly concentrated. A few milliliters can make a significant difference for a newborn, especially in the first 24 to 48 hours of life.
Many pregnant people don't realize that colostrum production begins as early as the second trimester. By your third trimester, your body is fully capable of producing colostrum, which is why harvesting it before birth is possible.
The Benefits of Colostrum Harvesting
Antenatal colostrum collection isn't necessary for everyone, but it can provide peace of mind and practical benefits for many families. Some reasons parents choose to harvest colostrum include:
Supporting babies with low blood sugar: Newborns at risk for hypoglycemia (such as babies born to parents with gestational diabetes or babies who are larger or smaller than average) may need supplementation in the early hours. Having colostrum on hand means you can offer your own milk first.
Helping with latch challenges: If your baby struggles to latch in the first day or two, having stored colostrum allows you to hand-feed or syringe-feed while you work on breastfeeding.
Managing jaundice: Colostrum helps your baby pass meconium, which can reduce the risk of jaundice.
Peace of mind: Knowing you have a stash of your own milk ready can reduce stress and give you confidence heading into birth.
Supporting babies with additional needs: Babies with conditions like Down syndrome, cleft lip or palate, or heart conditions may benefit from having colostrum available if feeding challenges arise.
Having colostrum stored doesn't mean you'll need to use it — but if you do, you'll be glad it's there.
Important Safety Considerations
Before you start colostrum harvesting, it's essential to talk with your healthcare provider. Nipple stimulation and hand expression can trigger the release of oxytocin, which may cause uterine contractions. For most people, this is safe after 36 to 37 weeks of pregnancy, but it's not recommended for everyone.
You should not harvest colostrum if:
You're at risk for preterm labor
You have a history of preterm birth
You're pregnant with multiples and your provider has concerns
You have placenta previa or other placental complications
You've been advised to avoid nipple stimulation for any reason
Always check with your midwife, OB, or healthcare team before beginning antenatal expression. They'll help you determine the safest time to start based on your specific pregnancy.
When to Start Colostrum Harvesting
Most providers recommend waiting until you're 36 to 37 weeks pregnant before starting colostrum collection. At this point, your baby's lungs and other organs are developed enough that early labor, while not ideal, would be less risky.
Some providers may give the green light a bit earlier or later depending on your pregnancy, so follow their guidance closely.
How to Hand Express Colostrum
One of the most important things to know about colostrum harvesting is that you should not use a breast pump. Pumps are designed to remove larger volumes of milk and aren't effective for extracting the small, thick drops of colostrum. Hand expression is the gold standard for prenatal colostrum collection.
Here's a step-by-step guide to hand expressing colostrum:
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
You'll need:
Sterile syringes (1ml to 5ml work best)
A clean, comfortable space
Warm compress or washcloth (optional)
Step 2: Prepare Your Hands and Breasts
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. You can apply a warm compress to your breasts for a few minutes to encourage milk flow, though this isn't necessary for everyone.
Step 3: Position Your Hand
Place your thumb and fingers in a "C" shape around your areola (the darker area around your nipple), about 1 to 2 inches back from the base of the nipple. You're aiming for the area where milk ducts are located, not the nipple itself.
Step 4: Compress and Release
Gently press your thumb and fingers back toward your chest wall, then compress them together in a rolling motion. Avoid sliding your fingers along the skin or squeezing the nipple itself.
You may see drops of colostrum appear at the nipple. This is normal — colostrum comes in very small amounts, and even a few drops are valuable.
Step 5: Collect the Colostrum
Hold the syringe near your nipple and draw the colostrum into the syringe by pulling back the plunger slightly. You can also let drops fall into a clean spoon and then draw them into the syringe.
Step 6: Rotate and Repeat
Move your hand around your breast in a circular pattern to express from different areas. You can also switch breasts every few minutes. A typical session may last 5 to 10 minutes per breast.
What to Expect
At first, you may only get a few drops — and that's completely normal. Colostrum is produced in small quantities, and your body isn't in full milk production mode yet. Some people collect a few drops, while others may collect a milliliter or more per session.
Don't be discouraged if you don't see much at first. Consistent, gentle hand expression a few times per day can gradually increase the amount you collect.
How to Store Colostrum Safely
Proper storage is essential to keep your colostrum safe and effective for your baby. Here's how to store it:
In the Refrigerator
Store syringes standing upright in the back of the refrigerator, where the temperature is most stable.
You can continue adding colostrum to the same syringe for up to 24 hours.
After 48 hours in the fridge, transfer syringes to the freezer.
In the Freezer
Colostrum can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months (some sources say up to 12 months, but using it sooner ensures the best quality).
Place syringes in a labeled freezer bag to keep them organized.
Labeling
Always label each syringe with:
The date it was collected
Your baby's name (if you know it) or "Baby [Your Last Name]"
This is especially important if you're planning to bring it to a hospital, as staff will need to know it's yours.
Transporting to the Hospital
When it's time to head to the hospital or birth center, pack your frozen colostrum in a freezer bag with an ice pack in a small cooler. Let your birth team know you have stored colostrum so they can place it in a hospital freezer if needed.
How Much Colostrum Should You Collect?
There's no set amount you "should" have, and every bit counts. Some parents collect just a few syringes, while others may have 10 to 20 or more by the time they deliver.
Aim to express 2 to 3 times per day if you're comfortable doing so. Even small amounts add up over the course of a few weeks.
What If I Don't Produce Much Colostrum?
If you're struggling to express colostrum or not seeing much output, don't panic. This doesn't mean you won't be able to breastfeed after birth. Colostrum production can be minimal until your baby is born and begins nursing, which signals your body to ramp up milk production.
Some people simply don't respond well to hand expression during pregnancy, and that's okay. The act of trying can still help you become familiar with hand expression techniques, which can be useful after birth.
When and How to Use Stored Colostrum
If your baby needs supplementation in the hospital, you can request that your stored colostrum be used first before donor milk or formula (if that's your preference). Colostrum can be given by:
Syringe feeding (gently placed in the side of baby's mouth)
Finger feeding (using a tube attached to your finger)
Spoon or cup feeding
Supplemental nursing system at the breast
Your lactation consultant or nurse can show you the best method for your baby.
Colostrum Harvesting for Babies With Additional Needs
Colostrum harvesting can be especially beneficial for babies who may face feeding challenges, including babies with:
Down syndrome
Cleft lip or palate
Congenital heart conditions
Low muscle tone
Prematurity risk
If your baby has a known diagnosis or you know feeding support may be needed, talk to your provider about starting colostrum collection. Having a stash ready can help your baby receive your milk even if direct breastfeeding takes time to establish.
What Not to Stress About
As with many aspects of infant feeding, it's easy to feel pressure or worry about doing things "perfectly." Here are some things you don't need to stress about:
Small amounts: Even drops of colostrum are valuable. You don't need to collect large volumes for it to be worthwhile.
Not producing colostrum during pregnancy: Some people don't leak or express colostrum before birth, and that's completely normal.
Not using your stash: If you collect colostrum and your baby doesn't need it, that's wonderful news! You can still use it later if needed or simply feel good knowing you were prepared.
The goal is to feel empowered and ready — not stressed or overwhelmed.
When to Reach Out for Support
If you're feeling uncertain about colostrum harvesting or have questions specific to your pregnancy, don't hesitate to reach out for support. You may want to connect with a lactation consultant if:
You're unsure whether colostrum harvesting is safe for you
You're having trouble with hand expression technique
You want to create a feeding plan for a baby with additional needs
You're feeling anxious about breastfeeding and want guidance before birth
Prenatal lactation consultations can help you feel confident and prepared before your baby arrives.
How I Can Help
As a nurse and IBCLC candidate, I support families through every stage of infant feeding — including prenatal preparation. Whether you're interested in learning hand expression, creating a feeding plan for a baby with additional needs, or simply want to talk through your options, I'm here to help.
I also work closely with OTs and SLPs who specialize in infant feeding, so if your baby has additional support needs, we can coordinate care to ensure you have a full team behind you.
You can reach out via Instagram DM or email — I'm happy to answer questions, provide guidance, and help you feel ready for your feeding journey. 💙💛