Colostrum is the first milk your breasts make during pregnancy and in the first few days after birth. You may hear it referred to as "liquid gold" because of its often golden/yellow colour and the incredible properties it contains. 

Unlike mature breastmilk, colostrum is thicker and more concentrated. It is packed with antibodies, immune factors, growth factors, proteins, vitamins, and minerals that help protect your baby and support their transition from life inside the womb to life outside. While it is most commonly yellow in colour, it can also be clear, white, or orange. 

Although colostrum is produced in small amounts, this is completely normal. A newborn's stomach is tiny at birth, and the volume of colostrum your body makes is perfectly matched to their needs in those early days. 

Despite being produced in small amounts, it is packed with everything a newborn needs in the first few days of life. It contains high levels of antibodies, particularly Immunoglobulin A (IgA), which helps protect your baby's gut and respiratory system while their own immune system is still developing. Colostrum is also rich in growth factors that help mature the lining of the digestive tract and support the establishment of a healthy gut microbiome. 

In addition to its protective properties, colostrum provides highly concentrated nutrition that is easy for newborns to digest. For babies who may be at increased risk of low blood sugar levels after birth, colostrum can provide an important source of energy and nourishment. It also acts as a natural laxative, helping babies pass their first stools, known as meconium. This can assist in clearing bilirubin from the body and may help reduce the likelihood of jaundice in the early days after birth. 

Expressing colostrum during pregnancy is often referred to as antenatal expressing. For most people, this can begin from 36 weeks gestation, provided you have discussed it with and received clearance from your healthcare provider. It is important to speak with your midwife, obstetrician, or GP before starting, particularly if you have a history of: 

When expressing colostrum antenatally, hand expression is recommended rather than using a breast pump. Colostrum is typically produced in very small amounts and has a thicker consistency than mature milk, making it easier to collect by hand. Hand expressing is also a gentler way to stimulate the breasts during pregnancy and helps avoid unnecessary discomfort or trauma to the breast and nipple before your baby arrives. 

1. Wash your hands 

2. Get yourself comfortable. 

3. Start with some gentle breast massage, stroking from the top of your breast towards the nipple to encourage oxytocin release.  

4. Put your thumb above the nipple and your index finger (or first few fingers) below the nipple line. It will look like you are cupping your breast in a “C” shape. 

5. With your thumb and fingers, feel a few centimetres back from the nipple. Gently press back towards the chest, then compress (pressing your fingers together) and release. 

6. Repeat this process and build into a rhythm. 

Press, compress, release. 

7. Colostrum should start to build, drop by drop. Initially you may not see more than a glisten on the end of the nipple. It may even take a few days before drops appear, but please don’t be disheartened. 

8. Collect the colostrum into a clean syringe or if this is too difficult try a small cup and then use a syringe to draw up that liquid gold! 

9. Label your syringe or container with your full name, date and time of expression. 

Colostrum is typically collected directly into sterile oral syringes. The Milky Goodness Antenatal Colostrum Expressing Kit is available here

Once collected: 

Transport frozen colostrum in an insulated cooler bag with ice packs and notify staff on arrival so it can be appropriately stored. Ensuring it remains frozen will allow you to have more time to use the colostrum. Once defrosted, it needs to be used within 24hrs.  

Many babies will breastfeed effectively after birth and may never need their stored colostrum. In the early days, the priority should always be frequent breast stimulation, either through direct breastfeeding or hand expressing if baby is unable to feed effectively. However, having expressed colostrum available can provide reassurance and may be helpful in certain situations. 

Stored colostrum may be offered if: 

When supplementation is required, having your own expressed colostrum available means your baby can receive your milk rather than formula. 

If your colostrum is not needed for feeding, it doesn't have to go to waste. Many families choose to use leftover colostrum on dry or irritated skin, for sticky eyes, or even add it to a bath, taking advantage of some of its soothing and protective properties.