What is Colostrum Harvesting?
Colostrum harvesting is the practice of antenatal hand expression to collect colostrum. Colostrum is the nutrient-rich "first milk" produced by pregnant individuals typically in the third trimester. It's often collected in small syringes or containers and frozen to be used after birth if supplementation is needed.
This practice has gained traction in recent years, especially among parents aiming to avoid formula in the early days postpartum. In some communities, it’s even being promoted on social media as an “insurance policy” against blood sugar drops, latch challenges, or NICU admissions.
But while colostrum harvesting can make sense in some situations, it’s not universally safe, and should never happen before 37 weeks.
The Potential Benefits
- Preparation for Breastfeeding: Teaching hand expression before birth can boost confidence and help stimulate milk.
- High-Risk Populations: For patients with diabetes or anticipated birth complications, stored colostrum can reduce reliance on formula in the first 48 hours.
- NICU/Separation Planning: Parents who expect separation from their infant may feel reassured having colostrum on hand.
Why It’s Not Recommended for All Patients
Widespread promotion of colostrum harvesting without clinical guidance is risky.
- Potential for Preterm Labor: Manual breast stimulation releases oxytocin, which can induce uterine contractions. For patients with a history of preterm labor, placenta previa, or other concerns, hand expression may pose real risks.
- Anxiety and Pressure on Parents: When harvesting is framed as “necessary,” some patients may feel guilt or shame if they cannot produce colostrum before birth.
- Lack of Clinical Oversight: Patients may learn colostrum harvesting techniques via online tutorials or peer forums without any input from a lactation consultant or OB team. This opens the door to misinformation and unsafe practices.
What We Should Do
- Integrate Education Thoughtfully: For high-risk patients, colostrum education can be part of prenatal lactation consults.
- Ensure Informed Consent: Patients should understand the benefits, limitations and potential risks before initiating colostrum harvesting.
- Avoid Blanket Recommendations: Colostrum harvesting should not be a default recommendation in prenatal classes or discharge materials. Instead, it should be individualized to the patient’s medical needs and preferences.
Invest in Virtual Lactation Access: Offering virtual prenatal lactation appointments ensures patients receive personalized, safe and equitable guidance regardless of location.
