As your due date approaches, you’ve probably heard mums talking about pumping or “harvesting colostrum” before their baby arrives, and it’s left you wondering: Can I pump before baby is born?
The short answer? Sometimes, yes, but it’s not for everyone. Antenatal expressing can bring many benefits for some parents, but there are a few things you’ll want to know first: why you might do it, when to avoid it, and how to do it safely if you choose to try.
In this guide, we’ll explain everything in simple terms, so you can make the right choice for you and your baby.
What Is Antenatal Milk Expression?
Antenatal milk expression is the process of hand-expressing and collecting colostrum, the thick, golden first milk your body produces, during the final weeks of pregnancy. It’s usually started from around 36~37 weeks if your pregnancy is low-risk and your midwife has given the go-ahead.
This practice can be especially useful for parents who want to prepare for situations where their newborn might need extra support with feeding in the early hours or days after birth.
Colostrum is packed with nutrients and antibodies, and even a few millilitres can make a big difference to a newborn. Many mothers like to collect and freeze small amounts, so it’s ready to use if needed.
Why Consider Expressing Milk Before Birth?
Colostrum is often called “liquid gold,” and for good reason. Produced in small but highly concentrated amounts, this nutrient-rich milk is perfectly designed for your newborn’s tiny stomach and packed with antibodies and growth factors that help protect and nourish them in their first few days.
Its benefits include:
- Immunity boosters: Colostrum is loaded with antibodies to strengthen your baby’s immune system and gut-coating agents to help develop a healthy microbiome.
- Blood sugar regulation: It helps stabilise baby’s blood sugar levels more effectively than formula.
- Natural laxatives: Colostrum gently clears your baby’s first stools (meconium), helping to prevent jaundice.
- Essential growth factors: These support your baby’s development in those critical early days.
These powerful properties make antenatal colostrum expression particularly helpful if:
- Your baby is expected to arrive early, has a low birth weight or may need NICU care.
- Your baby has been diagnosed with a cleft lip or palate during pregnancy, which will make it difficult for them to latch.
- You’re planning a caesarean, induction, or taking medication that could delay breastfeeding.
- You’ve got gestational or pre-existing diabetes
- You’re expecting twins or multiples
For you, antenatal expressing offers more than just a practical backup:
- It helps you get familiar with your breast anatomy and how milk production works, building confidence before baby arrives.
- It can reduce anxiety by giving you a small supply of milk to fall back on if breastfeeding is delayed.
- It can also relieve breast fullness and discomfort in late pregnancy.
Plus, research suggests antenatal expressing can help your mature milk come in sooner and increase the chances of breastfeeding going smoothly.
When Not to Express Milk Before Birth?
While antenatal expressing is safe and helpful for most low-risk pregnancies after 36 weeks, there are situations where you should skip it or wait for specialist advice:
- Threatened or past pre-term labour: Any history of contractions or waters breaking before 37 weeks is a red flag, because nipple stimulation produces oxytocin that can intensify labour activity.
- Placenta praevia or placental bleeding: If your placenta lies low or you’ve had unexplained bleeds, extra breast stimulation could increase bleeding risk.
- Cervical stitch or incompetent cervix: A stitch is placed specifically to keep the cervix closed; extra hormonal stimulation is best avoided.
- Multiple pregnancies with complications: Twins or more plus high blood pressure, growth concerns or other complications warrant an individual plan rather than routine expressing.
- Any episode of reduced foetal movements or unexplained abdominal pain: Pause expressing and call your midwife for review.
If you’re unsure, hold off and chat with your midwife or obstetric team. A quick phone call now is far better than risking premature labour later.
How to Express and Store Colostrum?
Before you start collecting “liquid gold,” it helps to know exactly how to get every precious drop, and how to keep it safe until your baby needs it. Here’s the practical, step-by-step low-down:
Use Proper Hand-Expressing Techniques
Colostrum is thicker and comes in tiny amounts, so you’ll get more (and waste less) by hand instead of a pump. Here’s how to express:
- Wash your hands: Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly before starting.
- Cup the breast: Gently place your hand on your breast and feel for any changes in texture behind the nipple, where the milk ducts are.
- Form a “C” shape: Position your thumb above the breast and your fingers below, forming a "C" shape around the areola. Apply gentle pressure without causing discomfort.
- Find a steady rhythm: Gently squeeze and release in a steady rhythm. Avoid sliding your fingers over your skin—focus on applying gentle, consistent pressure.
- Collect the colostrum: As drops of colostrum appear, collect them using a small sterile syringe or container.
- Move and repeat: If the flow slows down, move your fingers to a different area of the breast and keep going.
- Switch breasts: Once one breast has stopped producing, switch to the other and repeat the process.
- Adjust if needed: If the colostrum isn’t flowing easily, try adjusting your finger placement or gently massaging the breast to help encourage milk release.
Start with 3–5 minutes per breast, two to three times a day. You can gradually adjust frequency based on comfort and response.
Practise Using a Breast Pump
If you’re leaking already, or want to get familiar with pumping ahead of time, gentle trial runs can help.
For comfortable milk expression from tender late-pregnancy breasts, choose a pump that can mimic a newborn’s natural suck-swallow pattern and offer a variety of adjustable settings.
Here’re two wearable breast pumps from eufy that can make the whole process easier and more discreet when you get back to work later:
The eufy Wearable Breast Pump S1 slips right inside your bra and pairs with the eufy Baby app for one-tap control. OptiRhythm™ lets you tweak patterns, suction, and speed on the fly, while hospital-grade power (up to 300 mmHg) pulls milk efficiently.
An ergonomic 105° silicone flange and ultra-quiet 46 dB motor keep things comfortable and discreet, and a full charge covers 4–6 sessions, which is perfect for busy days after your baby’s arrival.
The eufy Wearable Breast Pump S1 Pro builds on everything the E10 offers but adds clever extras for even more convenience and comfort.
It’s the first wearable pump with built-in HeatFlow™, featuring seven warmth settings (adjustable from 95 to 105°F) to give you a comfortable, skin-like experience. This can help improve milk let-down and reduce the risk of clogs.
You still get up to 300 mmHg suction, easy app control of the settings, and the same whisper-quiet 46 dB motor. A portable charging case holds enough power for about five days away from the mains, which will become a total lifesaver once you begin juggling busy mum life.
Storage Tips
Proper storage ensures the safety and effectiveness of your expressed colostrum. Here’s how to handle it correctly from collection to hospital use:
- Collect in sterile 1–3 ml syringes: Small syringes make every drop count and are easy to label. When you’re done, pop the capped syringe in the fridge; combine sessions from the same day if you like.
- Freeze promptly: At the end of the day, seal the syringe in a clean freezer bag or container, label with your name, date of birth, plus the date/time of collection, and place it in the coldest part of your freezer (-18 °C or below). Colostrum keeps for up to six months this way.
- Transport on birth day: Pack your frozen syringes in an insulated bag with ice blocks and hand them to the midwife on arrival. They’ll pop them into the ward freezer until you need them.
- Thaw and use safely: Defrost one syringe at room temperature or in the fridge. Never microwave breast-milk–it creates hot spots and destroys antibodies. Once thawed, use within 24 hours or discard.
Conclusion
If you’re wondering, can I pump before baby is born, the short answer is yes if you’re full-term and have the go-ahead from your doctor. For many mums, expressing colostrum before birth is a great way to support baby’s health, build a backup supply, or get a head start with breastfeeding.
Even a few millilitres of colostrum can make a big difference in the early days. So, if you do decide to give it a go, focus on learning the technique, storing it safely, and using tools that fit comfortably into your routine.
FAQs
Is it okay to start pumping before a baby is born?
Yes, expressing breast milk before birth can be beneficial, especially if your baby is at risk of low blood sugar or if you’re planning a caesarean or induction. Starting from around 36–37 weeks of pregnancy, you can hand express small amounts of colostrum. This early milk is packed with nutrients and antibodies. However, it’s essential to discuss with your midwife or doctor to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for your situation.
Can you produce milk before giving birth?
Yes, your body begins producing milk during pregnancy. Initially, this is colostrum—a thick, yellowish fluid rich in nutrients and antibodies. Most women start producing colostrum around 16 weeks of pregnancy. While the amount may be small, it’s highly beneficial for your baby’s health, especially in the early days after birth.
What happens if you pump before labor?
Pumping before labour can help stimulate your breasts and collect colostrum, which is beneficial if your baby needs extra nutrition after birth. However, it’s important to do this under the guidance of your healthcare provider, as excessive stimulation can sometimes trigger early labour. Always consult with your midwife or doctor before starting.
