How to Collect Antenatal Colostrum Safely Before Birth

You can collect antenatal colostrum before birth by hand expressing small amounts during late pregnancy, collecting the droplets in a suitable container, labelling them clearly, and storing them correctly.

For most mums, antenatal expression should only begin from around 36 weeks and after checking with a doctor, midwife or maternity team that it is suitable for the pregnancy.

For pregnant mums in Malaysia, having a small supply ready may be useful if your baby is expected to need additional feeding support after birth. It can also help you become familiar with hand expression before breastfeeding begins.

Antenatal colostrum collection is optional. Many mums never collect any before birth and still breastfeed successfully.

What Is Colostrum and Why Does It Matter?

Colostrum is the first milk your breasts produce. Production can begin during pregnancy, even if you do not notice any leaking.

It is usually thick and sticky and may appear yellow, golden, clear or whitish. It is produced in much smaller quantities than mature breast milk, which is normal.

Colostrum contains concentrated nutrition, antibodies and other immune-supporting components.

Feature	Why It Matters
Concentrated nutrition	Provides energy and nutrients in small volumes
Antibodies	Supports your newborn's developing immune system
Small volume	Suits a newborn's early feeding needs
Easy to digest	Supports feeding after birth

Most babies receive colostrum directly from the breast, so there is no need to collect it before labour unless you want to and your maternity team agrees it is appropriate.

Why Might Antenatal Colostrum Be Useful?

Antenatal colostrum may be useful when there is a greater chance that a baby could need additional feeding support after delivery.

This can include:

• Diabetes during pregnancy, as some babies need closer blood glucose monitoring after birth.
• Expected feeding difficulties, including some congenital conditions.
• Planned neonatal care, where temporary separation may be expected.
• A history of low milk supply or breast surgery, which may be worth discussing with your maternity team.

It can also give you a chance to practise hand expression before your baby arrives.

When Should You Start Expressing Colostrum?

Most guidance recommends waiting until around 36 weeks of pregnancy before starting antenatal colostrum expression.

Breast and nipple stimulation can release oxytocin, which is involved in uterine contractions. For this reason, antenatal expression may not be suitable if there is a concern about premature labour.

Who Should Avoid Antenatal Colostrum Expression?

Your maternity team may advise against expressing if you have:

• A history or current risk of premature labour
• A short cervix or cervical stitch
• Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy
• Placenta praevia
• Specific medical advice not to stimulate your breasts or express colostrum

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby advises against antenatal expression before 36 weeks and lists these factors among situations where it may not be appropriate.

How Do You Hand Express Colostrum?

Hand expression is generally preferred because colostrum is thick and often appears in very small droplets.

1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
2. Get comfortable and relax.
3. Place your thumb and fingers slightly behind the nipple and areola.
4. Press gently back towards your chest, then compress the breast tissue.
5. Release and repeat in a slow rhythm.
6. Move your fingers around the breast as the flow slows.
7. Switch breasts after a few minutes or when droplets stop appearing.

Avoid squeezing or pulling directly on the nipple. Hand expression should not be painful.

You may collect only one or two drops at first. This is normal, and the amount you express before birth does not reliably predict your later milk supply.

When Should You Stop Expressing?

Stop expressing if contractions begin, if you notice vaginal bleeding, or if you develop another concerning pregnancy symptom.

If contractions continue after you stop, or you are worried about any symptom, contact your maternity team.

How Do You Use a Silicone Colostrum Collector?

Colostrum can be collected in a sterile syringe or another suitable breast milk storage container. Some mums use a reusable silicone colostrum collector alongside hand expression.

If you use one, sterilise it according to the manufacturer's instructions and make sure it is suitable for breast milk storage and freezing.

Step	What to Do
Clean	Wash your hands and prepare the collector
Express	Use gentle hand expression
Collect	Catch or draw in the droplets
Seal	Close the container securely
Label	Add the date, time and required details
Store	Refrigerate or freeze according to guidance

Some maternity units prefer sterile syringes or have their own container requirements, so check with your hospital before delivery.

Can You Use a Breast Pump Before Birth?

Hand expression is generally recommended instead of an electric or manual pump for antenatal colostrum.

Because only small amounts are produced, colostrum can remain in pump components. Hand expression also allows more controlled stimulation.

Unless your doctor, midwife or lactation consultant advises otherwise, regular pumping is generally better saved for after birth.

How Should Antenatal Colostrum Be Stored?

Once colostrum has been collected, careful labelling and cold storage are important.

How Should You Label Colostrum?

Label every container with the date and time of expression and any other details required by your maternity unit.

For maternal expressed breast milk supplied to Malaysian Ministry of Health hospitals, the national Paediatric Services Operational Policy specifies the baby's name, the mother's IC, and the date and time of expression.

Because antenatal colostrum is collected before birth, your maternity unit may use different identifying details.

How Cold Should Frozen Colostrum Be?

Malaysia's Ministry of Health Paediatric Services Operational Policy requires dedicated hospital breast milk freezers to be kept below −20°C.

This is a hospital storage standard, not a universal requirement for every home freezer.

At home, follow your maternity unit's advice for your freezer type and recommended storage period.

A few practical tips:

• Store colostrum promptly if you plan to freeze it.
• Keep it towards the back of the freezer rather than in the door.
• Freeze small portions to reduce waste.
• Check that each container is securely sealed.

How Do You Transport Frozen Colostrum to Hospital?

Keep the colostrum frozen until you leave for hospital.

Transport it in an insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs and give it to the maternity team when you arrive. Let staff know that it is antenatally expressed colostrum so it can be stored appropriately.

Hospital policies vary, so check your chosen maternity hospital's requirements beforehand.

How Should Frozen Colostrum Be Thawed?

Malaysia's Ministry of Health guidance states that frozen expressed breast milk can be thawed slowly in the refrigerator or by standing the container in warm water.

Milk thawed in the refrigerator should be used within 24 hours. If it is thawed or warmed in warm water, it should be used within one hour.

Do not:

• Boil the milk
• Heat it directly over a stove or flame
• Microwave it

Microwaving can heat milk unevenly and may damage some of its protective properties.

Do You Need to Collect Colostrum Before Birth?

No. Antenatal colostrum collection can be useful, but it is not necessary for successful breastfeeding.

Some mums collect several millilitres, while others see only a drop or two. Some do not express at all.

None of these outcomes reliably predicts milk supply after birth.

The main benefit for many mums is simply becoming familiar with hand expression before the baby arrives. This can be useful if your baby is sleepy, has difficulty attaching or cannot feed directly from the breast for a short time.

Think of antenatal expression as a preparation option, not a target you need to meet before delivery.

Conclusion

Learning how to collect antenatal colostrum can be a useful part of preparing for breastfeeding, particularly if your maternity team believes having a small supply available after birth could help.

Start only after checking that it is suitable for your pregnancy, generally from around 36 weeks. Use gentle hand expression, keep your equipment clean, follow your hospital's container and labelling requirements, and store each collection carefully.

For mums getting ready for breastfeeding, Haakaa Malaysia offers a practical range of breast pumps in Malaysia for expressing, milk collection, feeding and storage. Explore the range to find products that suit your routine before and after your baby arrives.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not replace individual advice from your obstetrician, doctor, midwife or maternity team.

Sources

• Pregnancy, Birth and Baby, Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing: Expressing Breast Milk During Pregnancy.
• Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: Antenatal Hand Expression.
• Forster et al., The Lancet: Advising Women With Diabetes in Pregnancy to Express Breastmilk in Late Pregnancy (DAME).
• Ministry of Health Malaysia: Paediatric Services Operational Policy.
• Ministry of Health Malaysia: Malaysian Dietary Guidelines, Key Message 12.
• Ministry of Health Malaysia: Guidelines to Promote Breastfeeding.

Frequently Asked Questions About Antenatal Colostrum Collection

Is It Safe to Collect Colostrum Before Birth?

It can be appropriate for many pregnancies during the final weeks, but it is not suitable for everyone.

Discuss it with your doctor, midwife or maternity team first, especially if you have a risk of premature labour, pregnancy bleeding, a short cervix, cervical stitch or placenta praevia.

What Week Can I Start Collecting Colostrum?

Most guidance recommends starting from around 36 weeks, provided your maternity team agrees it is suitable for you.

How Much Colostrum Should I Collect Before Birth?

There is no required amount. Some mums collect only a few drops, while others collect several millilitres over multiple sessions.

The amount you express antenatally does not reliably predict your milk supply after delivery.

Can I Use a Silicone Colostrum Collector Instead of a Syringe?

Yes, if it is suitable for breast milk storage, can be sterilised according to the manufacturer's instructions, and is accepted by your maternity unit.

Some hospitals prefer sterile syringes, so check before delivery.

Can I Use a Breast Pump to Express Colostrum Before Birth?

Hand expression is usually preferred because antenatal colostrum is produced in very small amounts and hand expression allows gentle, controlled stimulation.

How Do I Bring Frozen Colostrum to the Hospital?

Keep it frozen and clearly labelled, then transport it in an insulated cooler bag with frozen ice packs. Give it to your maternity team when you arrive so it can be transferred to appropriate cold storage.