Colostrum harvesting

Colostrum Harvesting in Pregnancy: What You Need to Know

If you’re approaching the end of pregnancy, you may have heard people talking about colostrum harvesting; expressing and collecting small amounts of colostrum before your baby is born.

But what if you try and nothing comes out? What if yours is clear rather than golden? And does the amount you collect tell you anything about how much milk you’ll make after birth?

Here’s what you need to know.

What is colostrum?

Colostrum is the first milk your breasts produce. It’s concentrated and produced in relatively small amounts, perfectly suited to your baby’s tiny stomach in the early days.

Some people notice colostrum leaking during pregnancy, while others never see a drop before their baby is born. Both can be completely normal.

When can I start colostrum harvesting?

Antenatal hand expression is generally introduced towards the end of pregnancy, often from around 36–37 weeks, depending on your individual circumstances.

If you have been advised that you’re at increased risk of preterm labour, have pregnancy complications, or you’re unsure whether expressing is suitable for you, speak to your midwife or maternity team before starting.

You don’t have to harvest colostrum. It’s an option, not another pregnancy task you need to complete.

How much colostrum should I collect?

There is no magic number.

You might collect several millilitres. You might collect a few tiny drops. You might not manage to collect anything at all.

The amount you can express during pregnancy is not an indication of your future milk supply or whether you will be able to breastfeed.

It can also take a little while to get the hang of hand expressing, so don’t be discouraged if very little happens the first few times.

What should colostrum look like?

Colostrum doesn’t have to look like the thick, golden liquid you often see in photographs.

It can vary in:

• Colour — clear, pale, creamy, yellow or deeper golden shades
• Consistency — thin and watery or thicker and stickier
• Volume — from tiny droplets to larger amounts

Variation is normal.

Should expressing hurt?

No. Hand expressing shouldn’t be painful.

You’re compressing the breast tissue behind the nipple rather than squeezing or pulling the nipple itself. Finding the right position and rhythm can take some practice.

If expressing is painful, stop and check your technique.

Why might colostrum be useful after birth?

Having some expressed colostrum available can be useful if your baby needs additional milk in the early postnatal period — for example, if feeding is temporarily difficult or you and your baby are separated.

For some people, practising antenatal hand expression can also help them feel more confident with the technique before their baby arrives.

But remember: a freezer full of syringes is not the goal.

Getting little or no colostrum during pregnancy does not mean your body has failed, that you won’t produce milk, or that breastfeeding won’t work for you.

How do I store it?

Colostrum is usually collected into sterile syringes, labelled and frozen according to your maternity unit’s guidance. Your local team can advise you on storage, transporting frozen colostrum into hospital and when to bring it with you.

If you’re planning to harvest colostrum, ask your midwife whether your maternity service provides collection syringes and specific local instructions.

In summary: 

Colostrum harvesting can be a useful part of preparing for feeding your baby, but it doesn’t need to become another thing to measure yourself against.

Drops are normal. Millilitres are normal. Different colours and consistencies are normal. And getting nothing at all antenatally can also be normal.

Your ability to express colostrum during pregnancy does not predict your milk supply after your baby is born.

At Birth Balance, we cover infant feeding as part of our midwife-led antenatal education, alongside birth preparation, newborn care and navigating the early postnatal period.

If you’d like practical, evidence-based preparation for birth and early parenthood, you can explore our group antenatal courses, private antenatal courses and one-to-one sessions in Ayrshire.