After my first baby was born, he was very sleepy. He did not want to feed for the first six hours.

So I reached for the colostrum I had expressed during pregnancy and gave him a little bit to help him initiate feeding. I was so glad I had done some expressing beforehand.

I had worked very hard for that colostrum and I did not get much of it. But in that moment, those small amounts were enough to help him get started.

That experience is a big part of why I want to talk about antenatal expressing - the practice of hand expressing and collecting colostrum (your body's amazing first milk) before your baby is born.

And here's the thing: antenatal expressing isn't just for mums with complications. It can benefit everyone (unless your healthcare provider advises otherwise).

Whether you're a first-time mum or already have little ones at home, learning about expressing colostrum before birth is a proactive way to prepare for postpartum and early breastfeeding.

In This Post, You'll Learn

• What antenatal expressing is and when expressed colostrum can be used
• How it works and why it won't "use up" your colostrum
• My own experience of antenatal expressing in both of my pregnancies
• Where antenatal colostrum fits in hospital, from a midwife's side
• The benefits and who might want to consider it
• When to start, how to express and what to pack for hospital
• Why small amounts (or none at all) are completely normal

What Is Antenatal Expressing? Breaking Down the Basics

Antenatal expressing involves hand expressing colostrum from your breasts during late pregnancy and collecting it in small syringes or sterile containers to freeze for after birth. You might also hear it called colostrum harvesting or antenatal colostrum collection.

Colostrum is sometimes called "liquid gold" and for good reason. It's rich in nutrients and antibodies that protect your baby in their first days earthside.

Those small drops can be used if:

✔️ Your baby needs help with early feeds

✔️ Breastfeeding is delayed

✔️ Your baby requires extra care in hospital

✔️ You're managing health conditions like gestational diabetes

I like to think of it as a little insurance policy. A way to feel prepared, supported and confident in your feeding journey from the very beginning.

The Fact That Surprises Most People

About 1 in 4 people who try antenatal expressing don't express any colostrum, even with correct technique.

One in four.

Because… the amount of colostrum you are able to collect antenatally has no correlation with how much milk you will make after birth.

So if you try and only get a few drops, or nothing at all, please know this is normal. It does not tell you anything about your supply after birth. You can still practice expressing even if you don't get any colostrum - it is helpful to learn the techniques so you know exactly what to do after birth and you might find that the more you do it you may start to see colostrum.

How It Works: Will Antenatal Expressing Use Up My Colostrum?

A common myth is that expressing during pregnancy might "use up" your colostrum or affect your milk supply.

But that's not how it actually works.

• Your body continues to produce colostrum right up until your baby is born.
• After you birth your placenta, your body naturally (and slowly) transitions to producing mature breastmilk.
• Expressing antenatally simply collects what your body is already making - it doesn't take anything away from your baby.

So you can express colostrum before birth knowing your baby will still have everything they need from you once they arrive.

My Own Experience: Two Pregnancies, Two Very Different Stashes

I did antenatal expressing in both of my pregnancies and I'll be honest with you - I did not get much colostrum either time. I had to work very hard for it.

My first pregnancy

With my first baby, I worked hard for small amounts. Then he was very sleepy after birth and did not want to feed for those first six hours.

Those small syringes meant I could give him a bit of colostrum to help him initiate feeding. In that moment, every bit of effort felt worth it and I was so glad I had done it.

My second pregnancy

With my second, I expressed again and collected about 1ml in total. Not 1ml per session - about 1ml from all of my sessions combined.

I didn't end up using it.

Was it a waste of time? For me, no. I still believe it helped to prepare my breasts and my body for birth and beyond.

Two pregnancies, two very different stashes. And that is exactly why I want you to hear this:

Small amounts of colostrum are normal and okay. Not everyone gets some. And how much you collect does not tell you anything about your supply after birth. (Stop comparing yourself to influencers showing you heaps and heaps of milk and making you feel like something is wrong with you!)

Where Antenatal Colostrum Fits in Hospital (From a Midwife's Side)

As a midwife, I see having some expressed colostrum as a great bonus. For mums who are separated from their baby after birth, it is a great option rather than going straight to formula.

BUT it is just a bonus.

Breastfeeding works on supply and demand. Once your baby is born, it is important to stimulate your breasts and breastfeed if possible.

Here's how we work through it:

1. Breastfeeding directly from the breast. This is our first point of call. It promotes your supply and it also teaches you and your baby how to breastfeed.
2. Expressing in that moment. If your baby is unable to breastfeed for whatever reason, we then look at doing some expressing right then and there, because we need to stimulate your breasts! Any colostrum we get in that moment is then given to your baby. (If you have already learnt the techniques from expressing during pregnancy - you can do this! You don't need a midwife to express your breasts if you can do it yourself)
3. Your antenatally expressed colostrum. If these options aren't possible, or you only get a small amount of colostrum and your baby needs more, this is when we can give your antenatally expressed colostrum.

Your little stash is there to support you but your baby at the breast is still where we start.

Why Antenatal Expressing Matters: The Benefits

✨ 1. Helps with early blood sugar regulation

If your baby is at risk of low blood sugar (especially with gestational diabetes, growth restriction, small for gestational age or large for gestational age), having a stash of colostrum ready to go can support them immediately after birth - sometimes avoiding formula supplementation.

✨ 2. Prepares you for breastfeeding

Hand expressing before birth gives you a chance to practise the technique and become comfortable with your body. This familiarity can reduce anxiety and improve outcomes if you need to express after birth.

✨ 3. Reduces pressure in the early days

Sometimes the first breastfeed doesn't happen straight away. Maybe your baby is sleepy or unwell, or you're recovering from a long birth. Having your own colostrum on hand can help bridge the gap without added stress (this is exactly where mine came in with my first baby).

✨ 4. Boosts your confidence

You're doing something proactive for your baby before they even arrive. Many mums find this incredibly empowering, especially when so much of birth and postpartum can feel out of their control.

✨ 5. Supports oxytocin production

Hand expressing releases oxytocin - the "love hormone" - which can help soften your cervix and support your body as it prepares for labour. Sometimes expressing can even put you into labour as the release of oxytocin can trigger contractions.

✨ 6. Strengthens your baby's immune system

Colostrum is rich in antibodies and protective factors. Giving it to your baby - whether directly through breastfeeding or via expressed colostrum - helps build their gut health and immune response from day one.

Who Should Consider Antenatal Expressing?

While anyone can choose to express antenatally, it's especially beneficial for mums who:

✔️ Have gestational diabetes

✔️ Have been told their baby is measuring small or has intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)

✔️ Had previous challenges with early breastfeeding

✔️ Expect their baby may need special care after birth

✔️ Want to feel more confident and prepared

Even if none of these apply to you, expressing colostrum can still be an empowering experience. It helps you get familiar with your body and gives you a tool to ease feeding in those early, often unpredictable postpartum hours.

How to Get Started: When, How and What to Pack

When can you start antenatal expressing?

Most people begin antenatal expressing around 36–37 weeks gestation, once they are considered full term and their body feels ready.

⚠️ Important: Always check with your midwife or doctor before you begin. Antenatal expressing is not recommended in certain situations (such as risk of preterm labour), so it's important to get the all-clear first.

How to express colostrum antenatally

Here's a quick overview (and remember - your midwife or lactation consultant can guide you through this too):

1. Wash your hands and get comfy.
2. Gently massage your breasts to stimulate oxytocin and milk flow.
3. Use clean hands, use a C shape around your areola - pressing fingers back into your breast and roll your fingers towards your nipple -  to express a few drops of colostrum into a sterile syringe or cup.
4. Label and freeze each syringe with the date (and your name if you're planning to take them to hospital).
5. Bring them with you to hospital, stored in a freezer-safe bag with an ice pack.

Need step-by-step guidance with a video demonstration on exactly how to express? That's covered in the Empowered Birth + Beyond Birth Courses!

Your antenatal expressing checklist

• The all-clear from your midwife or doctor
• Around 36–37 weeks gestation
• Clean hands and somewhere comfy to sit
• Sterile syringes or containers
• Labels with the date (and your name)
• A freezer-safe bag and an ice pack for the trip to hospital

Every Drop Counts: Please Don't Compare

How much colostrum should you express? This is where I want to reassure you: there's no "right" amount.

Everyone is different. Some mums collect several syringes in a session, while others get just a few drops. Some don't collect anything at all and that's okay too.

And please, try not to compare. Social media can be full of strangers showing what looks like an endless supply of milk and colostrum. If you have found yourself comparing, I want to gently bring you back to you. Your body, your baby and your journey are what matter here.

It is so important to do what works for you. You do you.

Remember my 1ml? Any amount you are able to collect is a win. Every drop counts.

Antenatal Expressing: Quick Answers

Is antenatal expressing safe?

Antenatal expressing isn't recommended in certain situations (such as risk of preterm labour), which is why it's so important to check with your midwife or doctor and get the all-clear before you start.

When should I start expressing colostrum before birth?

Most people begin around 36–37 weeks gestation, once they are considered full term and their body feels ready.

Will antenatal expressing reduce my milk supply?

No. Your body keeps producing colostrum right up until your baby is born, then slowly transitions to mature breastmilk after your placenta is delivered. Expressing simply collects what your body is already making.

How much colostrum is normal to express antenatally?

There's no "right" amount. Some mums collect several syringes in a session, some get a few drops and about 1 in 4 people who try don't express any. What you collect has no correlation with how much milk you will make after birth.

Do I need to take my colostrum to hospital?

If you would like it available after birth, yes. Label each syringe with the date (and your name) and bring them with you in a freezer-safe bag with an ice pack. Make sure you let your care team know that you have it with you so we can place it in the freezer as soon as possible.

Does antenatally expressed colostrum replace breastfeeding?

No, it's a bonus. Breastfeeding directly from the breast is our first point of call, then expressing in that moment, then your antenatal colostrum if those options aren't possible or your baby needs more.

Final Thoughts: No Pressure, This Is Optional 💕

Just like everything in motherhood, antenatal expressing is optional. You're not a better or worse mum for doing it or not doing it.

Some people love the idea. Others find it overwhelming. Some try and don't get anything. Some choose to focus on rest and other forms of preparation – and that's okay too.

The best preparation for postpartum is the one that feels right for you. There are so many ways to support your baby's feeding journey with love, care and confidence.

Are you planning to try antenatal expressing, or have you done it before? I would love to hear how it went for you, so share in the comments or send me a DM. And if you know someone who is pregnant right now, share this with them so they know every drop counts.

I'm here for you,

Tam xx