For most people, there is no single “right” amount of colostrum to collect; any amount is useful, and even a few milliliters can make a real difference for a newborn.

Key idea: there’s no magic number

Colostrum is made in small amounts on purpose because a newborn’s stomach is tiny.

Typical intake in the first couple of days is roughly a few milliliters per feed, often in the range of about 2–20 ml per feed over the first three days, depending on how often baby feeds.

So instead of aiming for a target “stash,” it’s more helpful to think in terms of:

  • Collect what you comfortably can.
  • Every drop is useful, especially in the first 24–48 hours.
  • Your ability to harvest colostrum before birth does not predict your later milk supply.

What many parents actually collect

Experiences vary wildly, and all of these can be normal.

Typical ranges people report:

  • Per session: anywhere from just a few drops up to about 1–5 ml is very common.
  • Over a whole day: some only get about 1 ml total, others might get several milliliters.
  • Over a couple of weeks before birth: some end up with around 20–30 ml total, some less, some more, and some don’t manage to store any at all.

Many parents in forum discussions say they never harvested colostrum at all and their babies did fine just feeding at the breast frequently after birth.

When having “extra” helps

Having a small stash can be especially reassuring if:

  • You have diabetes or gestational diabetes (baby may have low blood sugars after birth).
  • You’re planning a caesarean birth.
  • A health professional expects baby may need extra help feeding.

In those situations, even 20–30 ml collected over days can be very helpful for top‑ups in the first 48 hours, but it’s still not a strict requirement; you simply use what you have and then rely on direct breastfeeding or other supplements as advised.

How often to collect

Common, gentle patterns suggested by lactation-focused sources are:

  • Start only after a healthcare provider says it’s safe, often around 36–37 weeks if there’s no medical reason to avoid it.
  • Express once or twice a day if it feels comfortable and not stressful.
  • Sessions are often about 20 minutes (sometimes up to 30), and yields can change from day to day.

If harvesting becomes painful, stressful, or makes you anxious, it’s reasonable to reduce frequency or stop; frequent nursing after birth is usually enough for baby.

Simple rule of thumb

You can think of it this way:

  • Aim: “some” rather than “enough.”
  • If you end up with a handful of syringes or a small amount in tiny containers (even just a few milliliters total), that’s already helpful.
  • If you don’t collect much—or any—that does not mean you won’t make plenty of mature milk once baby arrives.

Quick mini‑FAQ

Is it possible to collect too much?
You’re very unlikely to overdo it in a harmful way if you’re hand‑expressing gently once or twice a day after you’ve been cleared to start. The bigger concern is stressing yourself out, not producing “too much” colostrum.

Should I keep giving colostrum until it runs out after birth?
Usually, colostrum is given as needed for top‑ups alongside feeding at the breast, especially if baby has low blood sugar or trouble latching; once your mature milk comes in, you mostly switch to direct breastfeeding unless your care team advises otherwise.

Can I donate extra colostrum?
Some parents mention donating frozen colostrum through milk banks or local networks, but rules vary a lot by country and program, so you’d need to check locally.

Small comparison snapshot

[1][3] [9][3] [6][1][3] [3][5] [5] [5] [6][7] [7][5]
Situation What people often collect What professionals say
Single session before birth Few drops to about 1–5 ml. This range is typical; some get less, some more.
Total over 1–2 weeks Roughly 10–30 ml, but can be much less or more. No “target total”; any amount is useful.
Baby’s intake after birth Multiple small feeds in first days. About 2–20 ml per feed over first 3 days, depending on feed frequency.
If you collect none Many parents report not harvesting at all and baby does well. Frequent breastfeeding usually provides enough colostrum.

“Every drop counts” is really the guiding idea with colostrum—your baby’s stomach is tiny, and even small amounts can be powerful.

TL;DR: There’s no specific amount you should collect. Many people get anywhere from a few drops to a few milliliters per session, and maybe 10–30 ml total over a couple of weeks, but any amount (even 1–2 ml) can be very helpful—and not collecting at all is also okay if it’s stressing you out.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.