Your Guide to Colostrum Harvesting

What Is Colostrum?

Colostrum is your first milk – a thick, golden fluid produced during pregnancy and in the early days after birth. It’s rich in antibodies, calories, and nutrients your baby needs in those vital first feeds.

Why Is Colostrum So Valuable?

Boosts Baby’s Immunity – packed with antibodies (especially IgA).

Helps with First Poo – acts like a natural laxative to clear meconium.

Perfect for Newborn Tummies – easy to digest and small in quantity.

Prepares Baby for Life Outside – coats and protects the gut lining.

Reassuring Backup – can be stored for use if baby needs extra support.

When Should I Start?

You can start hand expressing from 37 weeks, if your pregnancy is healthy and your midwife has no concerns.

It’s especially useful if you:

Have gestational diabetes

Are expecting twins or more

Have a planned C-section

Want to feel more prepared!

How to Hand Express Colostrum

1. Get Comfy

✔ Wash your hands, or have a bath, be relaxed and chilled.

✔ Sit somewhere warm and private

✔ Pop some chilled tunes on, a candle.

2. Massage Gently

✔ Circular strokes or downward sweeping motions toward the nipple

✔ Breathe slowly and relax – oxytocin helps!

3. Form the C-Shape

✔ Place your thumb above and fingers behind the areola (the dark area

around the nipple)

✔ Press back towards the chest wall, gently squeeze, and release in a rhythm,

like squeezing a popper together.

✔ Work around your areola like a clock face.

✔ Be patient, drops will appear and if they don’t, don’t worry! Keep going

and try on the other side, then go back to the first side.

4. Collect

✔ Catch drops in a sterile syringe or let them drip into a sterile spoon

✔ Add to the same syringe

How to Store & Bring to Hospital.

Label each syringe with your name, date, address and Chia number if you

have it.

Bring them to hospital in a cool bag with ice packs.

6-6-6

6 hours out on the side

6 days in the fridge on a shelf, not in the door

6 Months in a freezer *3 months in a freezer compartment

You will notice that the colostrum will separate within the syringe. Once it has defrosted it will be fine.

FAQs

Q: What if I don’t get anything?

A: Totally normal! Try again later, stay relaxed, and remember – this is about confidence and connection, not quantity. Hormones play a massive part in this and if you over think it, it may not happen. If it doesn’t then try again later.

Q: Does this mean I’ll definitely breastfeed successfully?

A: Hand expressing is a great start, but every journey is unique. Colostrum harvesting gives you a head start and options.

Q: Can I do this if I’m leaking already?

A: Yes! Leaking is a great sign your body is producing colostrum. You can still collect it if you'd like to.

Final Tip:

Make it a daily ritual – just 5-10 minutes in the evening can help you feel calm, connected, and ready. It will also help get a little back up of colostrum incase you need it.

*This guide is for general information only and based on a ‘normal’ pregnancy. Always check with your midwife before starting colostrum harvesting.