Collecting Colostrum During Pregnancy: How To Do It and Why You Should Try
Collecting colostrum can be a meaningful way to prepare for feeding your newborn.
When done safely and at the right time, colostrum harvesting can help you feel more confident heading into birth and the early postpartum days. Family-centered midwifery plays a key role in making sure this practice is informed, respectful of your body, and aligned with your overall birth plan.
If You Are Curious About Colostrum Harvesting, You Are Not Being Extra
Many pregnant women hear about colostrum harvesting and wonder if it is necessary, helpful, or even safe. Those questions are valid. Curiosity about collecting colostrum does not mean you are trying to control birth or get ahead of yourself. It means you are thinking thoughtfully about feeding, preparation, and support.
Family-centered midwifery creates space for these conversations without pressure or assumptions.
If you’ve been wondering about collecting colostrum prior to birth…
Then Episode 65 of Your Birth Bestie podcast is a must listen! We’ll discuss why it’s been labeled “liquid gold,” when to start (if at all), how to do it safely, tools and methods for collecting, and so much more!
Here is a direct link to my favorite syringes to collect your colostrum!
1. You Receive Personalized Guidance for Collecting Colostrum Safely
Not everyone should harvest colostrum, and timing matters. Family-centered midwifery ensures that collecting colostrum is approached on an individual basis rather than as a blanket recommendation.
Support includes:
Discussing whether colostrum harvesting is appropriate for you
Reviewing your pregnancy history and any risk factors
Talking about when to start, if at all
Explaining how to hand express gently and effectively
This individualized approach protects your safety and honors your body’s signals.
2. You Learn Why and When Collecting Colostrum Can Be Helpful
Family-centered midwifery focuses on education, not obligation. When collecting colostrum is discussed, it is framed around informed choice and realistic expectations.
Colostrum harvesting may be helpful in situations such as:
Anticipated feeding challenges
Planned separation after birth
Certain medical conditions
Desire for extra reassurance around early feeding
Just as important, you will also hear when colostrum harvesting is not necessary and why that is completely okay. Colostrum is produced after birth regardless of whether you harvest beforehand.
Understanding the why allows you to decide from a place of confidence rather than fear.
3. Your Whole Birth and Feeding Experience is Considered
Family-centered midwifery does not look at collecting colostrum in isolation. It is considered within the bigger picture of your birth, feeding goals, and emotional well-being.
This includes:
Supporting physiologic birth and early skin-to-skin
Protecting the golden hour when possible
Preparing you for normal newborn feeding patterns
Reducing pressure to perform or produce
When your care is family-centered, colostrum harvesting becomes one optional tool rather than a measure of success. Preparation should feel supportive, not stressful.
My Perspective as a Midwife
I believe colostrum harvesting should always be guided, optional, and rooted in education. Collecting colostrum is not something you need to do to be a good parent or to ensure feeding success. For some families, it brings peace of mind. For others, it adds unnecessary pressure.
My role is to help you understand your options, protect your safety, and trust your body’s ability to nourish your baby in its own time.
Whether you choose to collect colostrum during pregnancy, or after baby arrives, these are my recommended syringes every mom should use!
When to Talk With Your Provider About Colostrum Harvesting
If you are considering colostrum harvesting, it is important to have a conversation with your provider before starting.
They can help you determine:
🩵 Whether it is appropriate for your pregnancy
🩵 When to begin, if recommended
🩵 How to do it safely
🩵 When to stop if you notice contractions or discomfort
Your questions deserve thoughtful, evidence-based answers.
Ready for Support That Honors Your Body and Your Choices?
If you are curious about collecting colostrum and want guidance that prioritizes safety, education, and family-centered care, I would love to support you.
Preparation looks different for every family.
What questions do you have about collecting colostrum that you would like answered before birth?
