Charlotte Hoskin, registered midwife at My Expert Midwife, shares her expert tips on colostrum harvesting.
If you’re approaching the final weeks of your pregnancy, you might be hearing whispers (or maybe even full-blown conversations!) about colostrum harvesting. And as a midwife, let me start by saying: you’re doing beautifully already by being here and exploring this gentle, proactive way to prepare for feeding your baby.
Colostrum is often called ‘liquid gold’, and for good reason. This rich, golden milk is the very first nourishment your baby receives after birth. But what you may not know is that you can begin to collect it from around 37 weeks of pregnancy, and it’s easier than you might think.
So why harvest it ahead of time? Well, colostrum is packed with immune-boosting properties, it’s more like a supercharged shot of goodness than traditional milk. It’s high in white blood cells, antibodies, and bioactives that help protect your baby and kick-start their gut and immune systems. Plus, it’s easier for newborns to digest, making it perfect for those first delicate days.
Harvesting colostrum can also be a great safety net. If, for any reason, your baby finds it a bit tricky to latch or needs extra feeds, such as in cases of gestational diabetes or time in special care, having your colostrum ready can ease the pressure and support those early moments. And here’s a beautiful bonus, using a bonding cloth while you express can help carry your scent to your baby, encouraging connection even when you’re not skin-to-skin.
Now let’s talk about how to do it – gently, calmly, and with love.
Begin by finding a quiet moment, perhaps after a warm bath, when your body is relaxed. Wash your hands and get comfortable. Using a gentle massage or stroke from the top of your breast down toward the nipple can help your body get ready. You may not see much at first (or any at all, and that’s perfectly okay), but this early practice helps stimulate supply. When you’re ready, try making a ‘C’ shape with your thumb and fingers around the edge of your areola and use a soft, rhythmic squeezing movement. Any drops of colostrum you see can be collected in a sterile syringe, labelled, and popped into the freezer, ready for whenever baby might need it.
My Expert Midwife’s made this even easier with its Colostrum Harvesting Kit, which comes with access to a free webinar to make sure you are doing everything safely and correctly. The kit includes syringes, freezer labels, and even the soothing No Harm Nipple Balm to care for your skin during this journey. And don’t worry, harvesting colostrum is generally safe, though if you’ve had complications like a cervical stitch or placenta praevia, do check in with your midwife first, or alternatively you can use our ‘Call The Midwife’ website function that will direct you to our team of experts midwives – including myself!
As a quick note of reassurance, while colostrum harvesting releases oxytocin (the same hormone involved in labour), it usually won’t trigger labour on its own. If all is going smoothly in your pregnancy, it’s a lovely, gentle way to connect with your body and prepare for feeding.
Every woman’s experience is unique, some collect a few drops, others more. It’s not a measure of your ability to breastfeed or your bond with your baby. Like all things in motherhood, it’s a journey of learning and patience.
We’re here for you every step of the way, because every drop of colostrum is a little gift of connection and strength for your baby.
Visit www.myexpertmidwife.com for more expert advice.
Who is My Expert Midwife?
My Expert Midwife is a leading pregnancy skincare brand based in the UK, dedicated to supporting parents through pregnancy, birth, recovery, and parenthood with expert care and guidance. Backed by an in-house team of midwives, the brand offers a range of award-winning natural skincare products, along with evidence-based resources, blog content, and antenatal services.
Each product is formulated to address real issues identified by midwives based on their experience, ensuring safe, effective, and natural solutions for pregnancy and breastfeeding. Alongside each product, My Expert Midwife provides a wealth of helpful resources like guides, checklists, blogs, e-books, and webinars to ensure a well-rounded approach to care.
