Colostrum harvesting

Colostrum harvesting — also called antenatal colostrum expression — involves hand expressing the first milk from the breasts during late pregnancy and storing it in syringes or small containers. NHS Trust guidance describes it as "expressing and collection of your first milk — colostrum — during pregnancy" to help get breastfeeding off to a good start, particularly where a baby may need supplementary feeding in the hours after birth.

When can colostrum harvesting begin?

NHS Trust resources consistently recommend that mothers may begin hand expressing from 36 weeks of pregnancy, gradually increasing from once daily to 2–5 times a day for 5–10 minutes per session. La Leche League GB suggests practising in the bath or shower initially, expressing for three to five minutes until a few drops appear, as a baby's first feed requires no more than a teaspoonful.

Who is colostrum harvesting recommended for?

NHS Trust guidance identifies specific groups for whom harvesting colostrum is particularly useful: babies at increased risk of low blood sugar, including those who are large or small for gestational age, babies of mothers with diabetes, multiples, babies with conditions such as cleft lip and palate or Down's syndrome, and those born by planned caesarean section. However, NHS Trust resources also note that "any woman can decide to harvest colostrum."

How is colostrum stored after harvesting?

NHS Trust guidance advises labelling syringes with name, date, and time, refrigerating at 2–4°C for up to 24 hours before transferring to the freezer at −18°C. La Leche League GB notes that "fresh colostrum inhibits the growth of bacteria and can be safely refrigerated for 48 hours." Frozen colostrum can be transported to the birth setting and used in the first hours after birth if direct feeding is delayed.