Colostrum Harvesting. If you aren’t familiar with it, it might seem like kind of a scary term. But don’t be intimidated!
Simply put, colostrum harvesting is the process of collecting colostrum (the first milk produced during late pregnancy and shortly after birth) before your baby is born.
And during the last few weeks of your pregnancy, it’s something your midwife might suggest.
These days it’s more popular than ever and that’s all thanks to a pioneering research study published in 2014 that evaluated the safety of antenatal colostrum expression.
It found that for women with diabetes in low-risk pregnancies, expressing breast milk in late pregnancy is safe and does not increase the risk of early birth or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions.
Basically? Colostrum harvesting is safe and many mums now use it as an insurance policy in case their baby needs extra feeds in the early days after birth.
(It can reduce the use of formula top-ups too!)
Colostrum harvesting FAQs
If you’re thinking of colostrum harvesting you understandably, might have a lot of questions.
In this blog, you’ll learn everything you need to know about colostrum harvesting from when to start and how to transport it to how long you can keep it frozen.
1. When should I start colostrum harvesting?
37 weeks is generally considered a safe time to start colostrum harvesting.
It can take a little effort to learn at the start – you need to be quick to start catching the drops of liquid gold! – but don’t worry, you’ll soon get the hang of it.
Before you start, it’s really important to check with your midwife or doctor if it’s okay for you to do colostrum harvesting.
There are higher risks for some mums and it’s not always recommended.
2. Will the baby lose out if I take the colostrum away before birth?
Don’t panic!
When you hand express your colostrum and store it in a colostrum syringe, your breasts will make more again within a day or so.
Think of it like a well that refills once the water is removed.
Put simply, colostrum harvesting while pregnant, doesn’t take away from what your baby gets from feeding after their birth.
3. Can I use the same syringe a few times when colostrum harvesting?
You can use the same colostrum syringe for 24 hours.
Just put the cap back on and place it in the fridge between collecting sessions. After 24 hours, label the syringe or container and freeze it.
4. What if I don’t express any colostrum?
It’s not uncommon to get nothing or tiny amounts of colostrum when you first start colostrum harvesting.
In fact, studies suggest that 1 in 5 mothers are unable to express colostrum, so don’t panic if that’s you.
While you might be disappointed, don’t worry: it doesn’t mean you won’t have a bountiful breastmilk supply after your baby is born!
Also, you’ll be learning how to hand express and getting to know “the girls”, as we say in the lactation world.
If you’re having difficulty colostrum harvesting, leave it for a few days and try again. Some mothers have a surge of growth in the weeks of pregnancy and can collect some colostrum then.
5. How do I transport colostrum to the hospital?
Packing your hospital bag? Don’t forget your colostrum.
When you’re heading in to have your baby, keep your colostrum syringes frozen in an insulated bag with an iceblock.
If you have a lot collected, don’t bring it all in – around 20mls is sufficient.
6. When do I give colostrum to my baby?
This is probably one of the most common colostrum harvesting FAQs I hear! Generally, your midwife will help you decide if your baby needs extra colostrum.
Common times colostrum is used include:
- If baby has low blood sugars
- If baby isn’t latching
- If baby is very sleepy (a few drops of colostrum on their lips is magic!)
- If baby is very unsettled after feeds
A pro tip from a lactation consultant? Keep up with colostrum harvesting in the days after birth by hand-expressing if needed.
This helps your milk “come in” sooner.
7. How long can I use colostrum when it’s defrosted?
Your colostrum harvesting efforts have paid off and you now have a frozen stash. How long does colostrum keep for once it’s defrosted?
Once fully defrosted it must be used within 24 hours or discarded.
Storage times for colostrum
- 5 days in the fridge (not in the door)
- 3 months in a drawer freezer
- 6 months in a deep freezer
8. My colostrum is brown. Is that normal?
Don’t be alarmed! Colostrum comes in lots of colours and sometimes it’s quite sticky too.
It can look rusty, but generally, this clears away as you harvest more colostrum over the last few weeks of your pregnancy.
If you are worried, speak to your midwife at your next appointment.
(Top tip: Take a picture of the colostrum syringe to show the colour to the midwife.)
9. I’m getting loads of colostrum from one breast and not the other. Should I be worried?
I always tell my lactation clients: Remember, your breasts are sisters, not twins!
It’s normal for one to be a bit more active than the other.
If you are worried though, or have a large difference in breast size, talk to your midwife or a lactation consultant, like me.
10. I have not used all the colostrum I harvested. How long can I keep it frozen?
You can keep it in the freezer for up to 6 months (deep freezer) or 3 months in a drawer freezer.
Never throw it out!
If you need to use it, you could give it to your baby around vaccination time as an immune boost. Some families give their older toddler the colostrum as an immune shot either.
Colostrum and breastmilk can be used on sticky eyes, cradle cap etc too!
If you have a lot of colostrum it’s worth contacting your local donor milk bank as they love colostrum donations (It can be used for research too if it has expired!)
Bottom line? If you have colostrum left over from colostrum harvesting, don’t throw it away — it can still be useful!
Top tips for colostrum harvesting
So, let’s recap and start collecting! In summary, here are my expert top tips to make colostrum harvesting easier and more effective…
- Start at the right time: 37 weeks is generally a safe time to begin, but always check with your midwife or doctor first.
- Be patient with yourself: It’s normal to get small amounts at first (or even nothing!). Keep practising, and don’t be discouraged.
- Warm up before expressing: A warm compress or gentle breast massage can help stimulate colostrum flow.
- Use the right technique: Hand expressing is best for colostrum harvesting, as pumps may not be as effective for these small amounts.
- Store it safely: Use sterile colostrum syringes or small containers, refrigerate for up to 24 hours, and then freeze for long-term storage.
- Transport it properly: Keep frozen syringes in an insulated bag with an ice pack when bringing them to the hospital.
- Don’t stress over differences: It’s normal for one breast to produce more colostrum than the other.
- Make the most of extra colostrum: Leftover colostrum can be useful for your baby’s immune support, minor skin issues, or even donated to a milk bank.
Good luck!
