Should You Harvest Colostrum Before Giving Birth?

You've probably seen colostrum all over #ParentTok lately, but is it really the miracle that everyone's claiming? According to Laura Howells, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and doula, the short answer is yes. The long answer? It's all about your baby's health.

"Colostrum is the milk your body starts producing in the final days of pregnancy and continues to produce for the first few days after birth," Howells explains. "It's loaded with antibiodies, growth-boosting proteins and vitamins that are essential to your baby's development."

With benefits like these, it is no wonder that parents are considering colostrum harvesting, either late in pregnancy or soon after birth. However, while the idea sounds simple, collecting it can be more challenging than expected and even dangerous. Ahead, we break down what makes colostrum so unique, who may benefit from harvesting and when to involve a healthcare provider.

What is colostrum?

Thick, golden in colour and packed with nutrients, colostrum is often hailed as "liquid gold." Produced in the final days of pregnancy and during the first few days of postpartum, this concentrated milk kickstarts your newborn's immune and digestive development.

Dr. Melissa Dennis, Chief Medical Officer at Partum Health, explains that colostrum begins forming in the third trimester. "It's naturally secreted by the breast in the first few days after giving birth, while the mature milk is still coming in," she says. "Your body is essentially preparing the perfect starter formula for your little one before delivery."

But colostrum isn't just about immunity. It also has a mild laxative effect, helping newborns poop in those first critical days. According to Howells, "That's key for preventing jaundice, which can become dangerous if not properly treated. This is just one of the many ways colostrum helps newborns thrive."

The benefits extend to gut health, too. A 2023 study in Cureus found that preterm babies who received colostrum had higher levels of beneficial gut bacteria, like lactobacillus and bifidobacterium, and fewer potentially harmful microbes. These babies reached full feeds sooner and spent slightly less time in the hospital—another testament to colostrum's importance.

Who benefits from colostrum harvesting?

Some parents may find colostrum harvesting especially valuable. Lactation consultant Leigh Anne O'Connor notes that it can be helpful for individuals who have:

• A history of breast surgery
• Previous low milk supply
• Anticipated separation from their baby after birth

Mothers with diabetes may also benefit. "These babies have an increased risk of low blood sugar after birth," Dr. Dennis explains. "Having colostrum available can help stabilize their blood sugar levels and reduce the need for formula supplementation."

Registered nurse Shelly Patularu adds that parents planning a C-section, dealing with high blood pressure and those expecting twins or triplets may also find harvesting advantageous.

When colostrum harvesting is unsafe

Colostrum harvesting isn’t the right choice for everyone, especially during pregnancy. No one should start before 36 weeks. "Breast stimulation can increase the risk of preterm labour, especially for those with additional risk factors," says Dr. Dennis.

If you’ve been told you’re at risk for preterm labour, are on bedrest or pelvic rest, or have had pregnancy complications like placenta previa or unexplained bleeding, it’s best to skip prenatal expression. Anyone advised to avoid uterine or nipple stimulation for medical reasons should also avoid harvesting colostrum. If you’re unsure, check with your healthcare provider. They can help you decide what’s safest for you and your baby.

What are the drawbacks of colostrum harvesting?

While colostrum harvesting has benefits, it's not without challenges. "Some parents may feel anxious if they're unable to express colostrum before birth," Patularu explains. "However, parents should remember that this doesn't reflect future milk supply."

Expressing colostrum toward the end of pregnancy can also be frustrating, notes lactation consultant Sharon Berger. "For most, however, the confidence and skills gained from learning how to hand express usually outweigh the challenges," she says.

Can you harvest colostrum even if it's not necessary?

Not every parent needs to harvest colostrum. "Most mothers don’t need to harvest colostrum, but it can still be useful," explains Lactation consultant Amber Ginn. "For some, it’s more about feeling more confident and prepared."

O'Connor echoes this, noting that colostrum harvesting is usually recommended in specific situations. "For healthy pregnant individuals, especially before birth, it is generally not recommended," she says, adding that nipple stimulation carries a small risk of inducing labour.

When is the best time to start harvesting colostrum?

For low-risk pregnancies, Dr. Dennis suggests starting around 36 weeks. "Any earlier isn't advised," she cautions, because breast stimulation can increase the risk of premature labour, especially for high-risk pregnancies.

For that reason, Patularu stresses the importance of discussing prenatal expression with your healthcare provider first. "Those with a history of preterm labour, who are on bedrest or pelvic rest, or who have certain pregnancy complications may not be candidates."

How to safely harvest colostrum at home

Step 1: Gather supplies and wash your hands

To safely harvest colostrum at home, Patularu recommends having clean hands and the right tools:

• A colostrum collector
• A clean medicine cup
• Small sterile syringes for storage

Step 2: Massage your breasts to encourage flow

Once your hands are clean and your supplies are ready, the next step is to stimulate milk flow. Ginn recommends starting with a gentle breast massage.

"Place your thumb and fingers just outside the areola, press back toward your chest wall, and then compress forward in a steady rhythm," she says. "Just remember: it shouldn’t hurt. The movement should be a gentle press rather than a pull or pinch. Every woman’s flow looks different, so aim for slow, steady and comfortable."

Step 3: Collect colostrum carefully

With the flow encouraged, it's time to collect the colostrum carefully. Patularu advises catching the colostrum in a colostrum collector or cup, then drawing it into a syringe for storage.

Step 4: Be consistent

Finally, to maintain a steady supply of colostrum, begin expressing for about five minutes on each side, twice a day. "As your due date approaches, you can increase to five to 10 minutes several times daily," Patularu says.

Storing and using your harvested colostrum

Storage guidelines

Berger says that recommendations for colostrum storage are the same as those for mature breast milk. "This includes four hours at room temperature, four days in the fridge, and six to twelve months in the freezer," she explains. "Most parents freeze colostrum in 1 - 3 ml syringes for easy thawing and feeding."

Thawing guidelines

"To thaw colostrum quickly for feeding immediately, the container can be placed in a bowl of warm water, or held under warm, running water," says Berger. " To thaw for storage in the fridge, place the container in the fridge overnight. Keep in mind that thawed colostrum is only good for 24 hours in the fridge, so only thaw what will be needed for one day."

How much colostrum to give to your baby

On the very first day a baby is born, Howells says that a newborn needs about half a teaspoon per feed. But on day two of life, they need one teaspoon, and on day three, the colostrum should be transitioning to more mature milk and increase dramatically in volume to around 0.5-1 oz. "These volumes assume a baby is eating at least eight times per day," she explains.

Addressing potential challenges and troubleshooting

If little to no colostrum appears

If you can't express much colostrum, lactation consultant Taya Griffin reassures that's completely normal.

"Mothers should not feel any pressure to collect colostrum prenatally, and if they are not able to extract milk, it indicates nothing about their future breastfeeding journey," she says. "That being said, the act of hand expression and colostum collection may need practice in the beginning, so don't give up and be kind to yourself."

If expression is uncomfortable

Hand expression should never hurt. "We don't want to hurt ourselves, so ultimately gentle and kind hand expression should be done," advises Griffin. "Gently squeezing the breast with no pain is the goal. Consistent and rhythmic squeezing or compressing back towards the chest wall is important."

If you learn best visually

If you are a visual learner, Griffin notes that there are helpful support resources available, including reliable video demonstrations for visual learners.

"One of the resources I most often recommend to families is the Prenatal Yini YouTube channel," she says. "Yines Garcia-Taylor, a registered nurse and lactation consultant, creates breastfeeding videos that are exceptionally clear and easy for parents to understand."

When to consult a healthcare professional

Just as you would with introducing anything new in your pregnancy, Ginn says it is important to talk with your provider first. "They can help determine if it's safe for your pregnancy and how often to express," she explains.

Even with professional guidance, there are some warning signs to watch for that indicate it's time to stop expressing colostrum. According to Ginn, stop and call your provider if you experience:

• Persistent cramping
• Contractions that continue after expressing
• Vaginal bleeding
• Possible leaking of amniotic fluid
• Any symptom that feels unusual or concerning

The bottom line

For some families, especially those navigating medical conditions or unique birth plans, harvesting it can add another layer of reassurance. However, it's not a must-do for everyone, and that's completely okay.

The key is understanding your options. With the proper technique, realistic expectations and guidance from your care team, you can decide whether harvesting fits into your feeding journey. As always, staying in close communication with your healthcare provider ensures your choices are grounded in what's safest and most supportive for you and your baby.

Experts

• Laura Howells, IBCLC, is a lactation consultant and doula.
• Dr. Melissa Dennis, MD, MHA, FACOG, is Chief Medical Officer at Partum Health.
• Shelly Patularu, BScN, RN, IBCLC, is a registered nurse and lactation consultant.
• Sharon Berger, RN, IBCLC, is a registered nurse and lactation consultant.
• Amber Ginn, IBCLC, is a lactation consultant.
• Taya Griffin, IBCLC, is a lactation consultant.