Colostrum Harvesting Before Birth: When to Start, How to Hand Express & How to Store It

If you’re nearing the end of pregnancy, you may have heard about collecting colostrum before your baby arrives. Also called antenatal colostrum harvesting or antenatal hand expression, this can be a helpful way to learn hand expression and, for some families, have a small amount of colostrum available after birth.

It isn’t necessary for everyone, though, and because breast stimulation releases oxytocin, it’s important to check with your OB or midwife before getting started.

What is colostrum harvesting and why do it?

Colostrum is the first milk your breasts produce. Your body begins making it during pregnancy, and it is typically produced in small amounts during the first days after birth. It is concentrated and rich in nutrients and immune components your newborn needs.

Colostrum harvesting simply means hand expressing small amounts of colostrum during the final weeks of pregnancy, collecting it in sterile syringes or containers, and freezing it for use after your baby is born.

Having stored colostrum can be particularly useful when there is a higher likelihood that a baby may need supplemental milk after birth. For example, if a parent has diabetes during pregnancy, if a baby is expected to have difficulty feeding, or if parent and baby may need to be separated for medical care.

There’s another benefit I really like: practice. Hand expression is a useful skill that you can use throughout your breastfeeding journey, and learning how to do it before you’re also caring for a newborn can make it feel much less intimidating.

When is the best time to start colostrum collection before birth?

For most low-risk pregnancies, antenatal hand expression can begin around 36–37 weeks of pregnancy. You should always confirm with your OB or midwife that it is appropriate for your individual pregnancy before starting colostrum harvesting, as it may not be recommended if you have certain risk factors.

And don't worry if you collect only a few drops, or nothing at all. The amount of colostrum you can express during pregnancy does not predict your milk supply after birth.

Step-by-step guide to colostrum harvesting and storage

Start by washing your hands thoroughly and getting comfortable somewhere warm and relaxing.

Place your thumb and finger in a “C” shape a couple of centimeters behind the base of your nipple. Press your fingers back toward your chest wall, then compress your thumb and finger together and release. Repeat this motion rhythmically rather than sliding your fingers along the skin or pulling on the nipple.

You may initially see only tiny beads of thick colostrum. Collect those drops into a sterile syringe or colostrum collection container. You can reposition your fingers around the breast and switch sides as the flow slows.

Label your collected colostrum with the date and time expressed and freeze it until needed. If you're planning to bring frozen colostrum to the hospital, transport it in an insulated cooler with frozen ice packs and ask your birth hospital about its specific labeling and storage policies. For general human-milk storage guidance, the CDC's breast milk storage recommendations are a helpful resource.

How to hand express colostrum safely at home?

Hand expression (not pumpingis generally recommended for antenatal colostrum collection. Start gently, keep sessions short, and remember that collecting tiny amounts is completely normal.

If you experience contractions before 37 weeks, vaginal bleeding, or other concerning symptoms while expressing, stop and contact your maternity care provider.

Most importantly, colostrum harvesting is optional, not another pregnancy task you need to accomplish perfectly. If you’d like individualized help preparing for feeding, practicing hand expression, or making a plan for the first days after birth, a prenatal lactation consultation with R&R Motherhood can help you feel more prepared before your baby arrives.

Additional resources:
Cambridge University Hospitals: Antenatal Hand Expression
Stanford Medicine: Hand Expression of Breast Milk