Colostrum is best collected by hand expression rather than with an electric breast pump, especially in the first few days after birth or during late pregnancy. The tiny volumes involved (often just a few milliliters at a time) make hand expression more practical and effective than a pump, which can lose small amounts of this thick, sticky fluid in its tubing and collection system. Here’s how to do it, when to start, and what to expect.
Why Hand Expression Works Better Than a Pump
Colostrum is produced in very small quantities and has a thicker, stickier consistency than mature breast milk. An electric pump is designed to collect larger volumes of thinner milk, and its suction often can’t efficiently draw out colostrum. In a clinical trial comparing hand expression to breast pumping for mothers of term newborns, both groups produced a median volume of about 1 mL per session. But mothers who used a pump were more likely to feel discouraged, because that single milliliter looked like almost nothing inside the pump’s large collection bottle. Hand expression lets you capture every drop directly into a small syringe or container, so nothing is wasted and the amount feels more tangible.
Once your milk transitions from colostrum to mature milk (typically around days 3 to 5 postpartum), switching to a breast pump becomes much more practical.
The Hand Expression Technique
Wash your hands thoroughly before you start. Have a small, clean container or a 1 to 3 mL syringe ready to catch the drops.
- Hand placement: Cup your breast with your thumb on top and fingers underneath, positioned about an inch behind your nipple (roughly at the edge of your areola).
- Press back: Push your fingers and thumb gently but firmly back toward your chest wall.
- Compress and roll: Roll your fingers forward (don’t slide them across the skin) to press the milk out from behind the areola.
- Release and repeat: Relax your hand, then repeat the press, compress, relax rhythm. It mimics the way a baby suckles.
Rotate your hand position around the breast every few minutes to reach different milk ducts. If nothing comes out immediately, keep going gently for a few minutes. It often takes 10 to 15 minutes per breast. You can alternate sides when flow slows down.
How Much Colostrum to Expect
The volumes are small by design. A newborn’s stomach on day one is roughly the size of a cherry, and colostrum is concentrated to match. In a study of 391 mothers, the average volume collected in a single expression session was about 4.7 mL on the first postnatal day, 8.9 mL on day two, and 22.5 mL by day three. Those numbers add up across multiple sessions: total daily production on day one is typically around 40 to 50 mL (about 5 mL per feed across 8 to 12 feedings).
If you’re getting just drops at first, that’s completely normal. A few drops of colostrum are genuinely enough for a newborn’s early feeds. By day three, volumes increase significantly as your body ramps up production.
Expressing Colostrum Before Birth
Some people begin hand-expressing colostrum during late pregnancy, a practice called antenatal colostrum expression. This is typically started around 36 weeks of gestation. The collected colostrum is frozen in small syringes and brought to the hospital, providing a ready supply if the baby needs supplementation in the first hours after birth.
Antenatal expression is particularly popular among people with gestational diabetes, since their babies are at higher risk for low blood sugar after birth and may need early feeding support. Evidence from randomized controlled trials has confirmed this practice is safe for women with diabetes in pregnancy and does not increase rates of preterm birth. That said, not everyone needs to do it. The decision is best made with your midwife or doctor based on your individual circumstances, especially if you have a history of preterm labor, cervical concerns, or a high-risk pregnancy.
During pregnancy, expect even smaller volumes than after birth. A few drops per session is typical, and sessions of 5 to 10 minutes per breast once or twice a day are a reasonable starting point.
Collecting and Storing Colostrum
For the tiny amounts involved, small oral syringes (1 to 3 mL) work best. You can express drops directly onto a clean spoon and draw them into the syringe, or express directly into the syringe tip. Cap each syringe, label it with the date, and store it.
CDC guidelines for breast milk storage apply to colostrum as well:
- Room temperature (77°F or cooler): up to 4 hours
- Refrigerator: up to 4 days
- Freezer: about 6 months is ideal, up to 12 months is acceptable
If you’re collecting colostrum before birth, freeze each syringe as soon as possible. Bring them to the hospital in a cooler with ice packs. If you’re expressing after birth and feeding your baby right away, fresh colostrum at room temperature is fine for up to 4 hours.
Pumping Colostrum After Birth
If your baby can’t latch or is separated from you after delivery (due to NICU admission, for example), you’ll need to express colostrum frequently to signal your body to keep producing milk. The general rule is to match the frequency a newborn would normally feed, which means expressing at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, including overnight sessions.
For the first day or two, hand expression is still the most effective method. Many hospitals have lactation consultants who can walk you through the technique at the bedside. Once your milk begins to transition (you’ll notice increasing volume and a thinner, whiter appearance), an electric pump becomes more efficient. Hospital-grade pumps are available on most postpartum units and are designed for this exact situation.
Each session should last about 15 to 20 minutes. Even if very little comes out, the stimulation itself is what matters in the early days. Consistent, frequent expression in the first 48 to 72 hours lays the foundation for a full milk supply later on.
Tips for Getting More Colostrum
Warmth helps. Place a warm, damp cloth on your breast for a few minutes before expressing, or try expressing right after a warm shower. Gentle breast massage in a circular pattern before and during expression can also encourage flow.
Skin-to-skin contact with your baby (if possible) naturally triggers the hormones that release milk. Some people find it helpful to look at a photo or video of their baby, or even just think about them, while expressing. Stress and tension work against milk release, so finding a comfortable, quiet spot makes a real difference.
If you’re struggling to get any colostrum out, ask for help from a lactation consultant. Small adjustments in hand placement or pressure often solve the problem. It’s a learned skill, not an instinct, and most people need a few sessions to get the hang of it.