Collecting Colostrum Before Delivery: What You Need to Know

If you have heard about antenatal colostrum harvesting and wondered whether it is something you should be doing, you are not alone. This practice has grown in popularity significantly in recent years, and for good reason. But like most things in the birth world, there is nuance that gets lost when advice spreads through social media.

As an IBCLC and postpartum nurse, I want to walk you through what colostrum harvesting actually is, who it is most appropriate for, how to do it safely, and what to expect.

What Is Antenatal Colostrum Harvesting?

Antenatal colostrum harvesting refers to hand expressing and collecting colostrum — your first milk — in the weeks before your due date, typically starting around 36 to 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Colostrum is present in your breasts from as early as 16 weeks of pregnancy. It is thick, often yellowish or clear, and packed with antibodies, immune factors, and exactly what a newborn needs in those first hours and days. Collecting it before birth means you have a supply ready to go if it is needed.

Who Is It Most Beneficial For?

Antenatal harvesting is not recommended universally, but it is particularly valuable for certain situations:

• Gestational diabetes (GDM) — babies born to mothers with GDM are at higher risk for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) after birth, and having colostrum on hand means you can supplement with your own milk rather than formula if baby's blood sugar drops

• Planned cesarean section — C-section babies sometimes take a little longer to establish breastfeeding, and having a colostrum supply gives you a head start

• Babies with known conditions like cleft palate, Down syndrome, or congenital heart defects that may make initial feeding more challenging

• Mothers with known low milk supply risk factors (previous breast surgery, insufficient glandular tissue, PCOS)

• Mothers who want the reassurance of having a backup supply in case of any early feeding challenges

Is It Safe?

For most low-risk pregnancies, yes — antenatal colostrum harvesting starting at 36 to 37 weeks is considered safe. Nipple stimulation does trigger oxytocin release, which can cause mild uterine contractions, which is why it is generally not recommended before 36 weeks or for pregnancies with a higher risk of preterm labor.

Always discuss with your OB, midwife, or care provider before starting. Most providers are supportive, particularly in the higher-risk situations listed above.

How to Do It: Hand Expression Basics

Colostrum is thick and produced in small amounts — a pump is not effective at this stage. Hand expression is the right tool.

• Start with clean hands and a sterile syringe or small collection container (1 to 5 mL syringes are ideal)

• Massage your breast gently for a minute or two to stimulate letdown

• Place your thumb above and fingers below the areola, about an inch back from the nipple

• Press back toward your chest wall, then compress and release in a rhythmic motion

• Rotate your hand position around the breast to drain different ducts

• Sessions of 5 to 10 minutes per breast, once or twice a day, are typically sufficient

Do not be discouraged if you only collect tiny drops at first — a few milliliters per session is completely normal and expected. Colostrum is incredibly concentrated; even small amounts have enormous value for a newborn.

How to Store It

Collected colostrum can be stored in labeled syringes in the freezer. Use small amounts — 1 mL per syringe is often recommended — so nothing goes to waste when thawed. Label each syringe with the date and bring your frozen colostrum to the hospital in a small cooler when you deliver.

Managing Expectations

Antenatal colostrum harvesting is a wonderful tool, not a guarantee of any particular breastfeeding outcome. Having a freezer supply does not mean you will not need lactation support after birth, and not harvesting does not mean breastfeeding will be harder. Think of it as one preparation you can do — like packing your hospital bag — not a predictor of your breastfeeding journey.

If you have GDM, a planned C-section, or other risk factors, I would strongly encourage discussing this with both your care team and a lactation consultant before your due date. Early preparation makes a real difference.

Want More Support?

If this was helpful, there is a lot more where it came from:

• Follow me on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @carrie.lactation for daily breastfeeding tips, myth-busting, and real talk from the postpartum floor

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You've got this — and you do not have to figure it out alone.

Written by Carolynn Wimmer, RN, IBCLC | Postpartum Nurse & Lactation Consultant

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider with concerns about your health.