Collecting Colostrum with a Wearable Breast Pump: What Mums Need to Know

That thick, golden liquid you may start to notice in late pregnancy isn’t “early milk”, it’s colostrum, and it’s liquid gold for your baby. Packed with antibodies, nutrients, and immune-boosting goodness, colostrum helps protect your newborn from infection and supports their gut and overall development.

Some mums choose to collect and store colostrum before birth, giving them a small stash of milk ready for those early feeds, particularly useful if baby needs a little extra help or if you’re separated after delivery.

Let’s explore how and when to collect colostrum, the pros and cons, and where your wearable breast pump fits in.

What Is Colostrum and Why It’s So Important

Colostrum is your baby’s first milk, concentrated, sticky, and rich in everything they need for their first few days of life. It’s often called “liquid gold” for a reason: it’s high in protein and antibodies but low in fat, making it easy for your baby’s tiny tummy to digest.

For mums, learning to express colostrum can also be a confidence booster. You get familiar with your breasts, understand how they respond to stimulation, and have peace of mind knowing you’ve got something stored just in case those early feeds don’t go to plan.

The Benefits of Collecting Colostrum

There are plenty of reasons mums decide to start collecting colostrum before baby arrives:

Extra reassurance – You’ll have your own milk ready if your baby needs top-ups in hospital.
Practice before baby arrives – You’ll get comfortable with expressing and handling breast milk.
Helpful in special situations – Particularly if you have gestational diabetes, are expecting a caesarean birth, or your baby may need extra feeding support.
Confidence boost – It’s empowering to know your body can already provide everything your baby needs.

The Considerations

Before you start, it’s important to know that antenatal expressing isn’t suitable for everyone. Nipple stimulation releases oxytocin, which can cause mild contractions, so always chat with your midwife or healthcare provider before you begin, especially if you have a high-risk pregnancy or are carrying multiples.

And don’t be discouraged by small amounts, colostrum is produced in tiny, powerful drops. Even half a teaspoon can make a difference for your baby.

How to Collect Colostrum

1. When to Start
Most mums begin around 36 weeks if their care provider gives the go-ahead. A short session (2–3 minutes per breast) two or three times a day is plenty to start with.

2. Warm Up
A warm shower, heat pack, or gentle massage helps the milk flow. Relaxation is key, tension can slow down your let-down reflex.

3. Hand Express First
Because colostrum is thick and produced in small amounts, hand expression is more effective than a pump during pregnancy.
Form a “C” shape with your thumb and fingers around the areola, press back toward your chest wall, then compress and release. Collect the drops into a sterile syringe or small container.

4. Storage Tips
Label your container with your name, date, and time. Store in the fridge for up to 72 hours or freeze if you’re building a stash before birth. When it’s time to head to the hospital, bring your frozen syringes in a small cooler bag with ice bricks.

Using a Wearable Pump for Colostrum

Before birth, a pump generally isn’t recommended, hand expression is the safest and most effective way to collect colostrum. But once your baby arrives, that’s when your wearable breast pump can shine.

In the early postpartum days, you can use your pump to:

Collect transitional milk as your supply builds.
Give your nipples a rest if baby’s latch is still improving.
Pump hands-free while you rest, cuddle, or simply recover.

The Night Owl Wearable Breast Pump is ideal for this stage, it’s quiet, discreet, and designed to gently support your supply as you transition from colostrum to mature milk. Start on the lowest suction setting, and use breast massage to encourage flow.

The Night Owl Tip

In those first few days, every drop really does matter and it’s perfectly normal to see small volumes. Colostrum is concentrated nourishment; even a few millilitres can stabilise your baby’s blood sugar and give them an immune boost.

If you’ve already collected antenatally, those early feeds can feel calmer knowing you’ve got your “liquid gold” ready to go. And once your milk transitions, your Night Owl pump will help you express comfortably and hands-free, day or night.

Final Thoughts

Collecting colostrum is a gentle, powerful way to prepare for your breastfeeding journey. Whether you express antenatally, pump post-birth, or a mix of both, it’s all part of learning how your body and your baby work together.

At The Night Owl, we’re here to make that journey smoother, quieter, and more convenient, so you can focus on what really matters: those precious early moments of connection.