Guide
Colostrum Harvesting
$15
A guide to antenatal hand expression, clean collection, storage questions, and safe transport. Covers when it is appropriate to start, how to express by hand, and how to label, freeze, and carry your colostrum to the hospital.
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- Format
- Illustrated PDF guide, 9 pages
- What’s inside
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- Start with medical clearance
- What you need
- Hand expression, step by step
- Storage and hospital use
- Your plan
- Quick notes
- Good to know
- The guide starts with getting clearance from your provider before you begin.
Who it’s for
- Pregnant people whose care team has suggested or approved antenatal colostrum harvesting
- Anyone wondering whether it makes sense for them, with questions to bring to a prenatal visit
- Families planning to bring frozen colostrum to the hospital
What each section covers
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Start with medical clearance
What antenatal colostrum harvesting is, why it isn’t necessary for everyone, and why to check with your care team before you start.
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What you need
Small sterile oral syringes, labels, a clean container, a sealable freezer bag, and a cooler with ice packs for the trip. Your maternity service may provide some of these.
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Hand expression, step by step
Why hand expression usually works better than a pump for tiny amounts, and how to do it. Small drops are normal: the goal is getting familiar, not hitting a volume.
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Storage and hospital use
How to freeze, label and transport the syringes, and what to confirm with your hospital, since storage rules differ.
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Your plan
A short list of questions for your prenatal visit: whether it’s right for you, when to start, how often, and what means stop and call.
Questions about Colostrum Harvesting
- Should everyone harvest colostrum?
- No. It isn’t necessary for everyone, and it isn’t right for every pregnancy. The guide starts with medical clearance and the questions to ask your care team.
- How much colostrum should I expect?
- Very little at first. Small drops are normal, and the guide focuses on getting comfortable with hand expression rather than on volume.
- Is this medical advice?
- No. This guide is general education, with its sources listed at the end. Your OB, midwife, or care provider knows your situation, so bring your questions to them.
Want in-person help too? Virtual prenatal support
This guide is general education, not medical advice. Talk with your OB, midwife, or care provider about your own care. In an emergency, call 911.
