Colostrum Collectors & Milk Collectors To Save Every Drop

Last Updated on March 30, 2026 by Jordyn Koveleski Gorman

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In the early days of breastfeeding, every drop matters. Even before you start breastfeeding, your body is producing colostrum, that nutrient-rich “liquid gold” packed with antibodies and essential nutrients for your newborn. But collecting and saving those small amounts of liquid can feel tricky without the right tools. That’s where colostrum collectors and milk collectors come in.

Designed to make the most of your natural letdown, these simple yet effective tools help capture milk that might otherwise go to waste. Whether you’re nursing, pumping, or just going about your day, milk collectors help you passively collect extra milk without losing it in breast pads.

From tiny syringes perfect for storing colostrum in those early days, to wearable silicone milk collectors that fit right in your bra, there are great options to support your feeding journey!

If you’re preparing for baby or looking to build a small stash without added stress, this post is for you. These are our favorite tools that can maximize your milk supply and support feeding your baby.

When can I start collecting colostrum?

Generally, colostrum collection can begin after 37 weeks gestation. However, it’s important to speak with your OB, midwife, or birth provider before beginning this process.

Nipple stimulation, which will occur during the collection process, can contribute to inducing labor if a mother is already experiencing pre-labor signs. It will not induce labor on its own.

How to collect colostrum & how to store colostrum

You can start harvesting colostrum around 37 weeks gestation by gently massaging the breast. Squeeze gently behind the areola in a C-shape to release drops of colostrum. Remember, all of this should be done GENTLY! We never want to pinch the nipple.

When it comes to storing colostrum, collect it in sterile, sealed containers. Colostrum collection kits are really helpful for this as they’re small and made for this exact purpose! They already come pre-sterilized. Colostrum can be frozen for up to 6 months.

We wrote an entire post about collecting colostrum with all the ins and outs of the process on our blog.

Silicone Colostrum Collectors

When it comes to harvesting colostrum, many colostrum collectors are quite similar. We looked for some of the most popular brands made with 100% medical grade silicone.

With these collection kits, you can collect colostrum through suction, or express directly into the collector. Each of these sets comes pre-sterilized with labels and a storage container so the small collectors don’t get lost in the freezer! Here are our top picks.

Haakaa Colostrum Collector Kit

Haakaa Colostrum Collector Kit

Price: $22.99
Volume: 4mL
Number of collection tubes: 6

I loved the Haakaa colostrum collector and personally used it for my second and third babies.

Each collection tube has easy to read measurement markings so you can tell just how much you collected. Then, use the included labels to note the date and amount.

While most of the pricing is comparable, Haakaa’s collection kit collects only 4 ounces per collector as opposed to 5 ounces. However, Haakaa does make different size syringes ranging from 0.5-6 ounces.

MomCozy Colostrum Collector

MomCozy Colostrum Collector

Price: $19.99
Volume: 5mL
Number of collection tubes: 6

At just under $20, the MomCozy colostrum collector set is the most affordable of our top picks. Made from 100% food grade silicone, each dropper has a keep-clean cap to protect the nib your baby will feed from.

Frida Mom Colostrum Collector

Frida Mom Colostrum Collector Kit

Price: $29.99
Volume: 5mL
Number of collection tubes: 6

The Frida Mom colostrum collector is different from the MomCozy and Haakaa colostrum collectors because the design has a wide flange that catches drops of colostrum. If you choose not to suction the colostrum to collect, the flange offers more room to catch drops preventing any lost liquid gold.

What is a milk collector?

A breast milk collector is a breastfeeding accessory typically made of soft silicone. It’s designed to catch leaking breast milk throughout the day. Some can be worn daily to catch leaking milk from breasts. Others are designed to collect from the opposite breast during nursing and/or pumping sessions.

Why should I use a milk collector?

When a woman starts to nurse and the letdown is triggered, milk starts to flow from both breasts. If a baby is nursing on the left breast, the right breast will experience a letdown and that milk will start to leak. Rather than that milk leaking on a mom’s clothing or breast pad, breast milk collectors catch that milk.

Milk collectors prevent waste and passively build your milk supply!

Breast milk collection shells can also be worn throughout the day to catch milk droplets and allow your nipples to breathe. Many lactating mothers say they protect their nipples from being chafed.

Boon Trove Milk Collector

Boon Trove Milk Collector

Price: $26.99 for 2
Material: 100% food-grade silicone
Milk Storage Volume: 3 oz. per cup

My all-around favorite milk collector!

This milk collector is made of soft, flexible silicone and fits directly in your bra to catch milk. You can wear it while nursing, pumping, or throughout the day. It doesn’t get in the way while nursing and stays comfortably in place.

The Boon Trove has a weighted, flat bottom that allows it to sit upright on its own. Once you’ve collected your milk, simply remove it from your bra and set it on the counter while you grab a storage bag. The easy-pour spouts make it simple to build your milk stash without missing a drop.

Another feature I love is the plugs for each collection cup. They fit securely to prevent spills, making the Trove easy to transport when you’re out and about. The product also comes with a storage bag!

Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if a nursing mom designed the Trove. It really delivers on comfort, convenience, and ease of use.

Haakaa Ladybug Milk Collector

Haakaa Ladybug Milk Collector

Price: $33.49 for 2 (2.5 oz. size)
Material: 100% food-grade silicone
Milk Storage Volume: 1.4 oz., 2.5 oz., 5 oz.

A popular milk collector that comes in multiple sizes

The Haakaa Ladybug milk collector is another popular option for passively collecting milk from letdowns or throughout the day. It’s made of 100% food-grade silicone and comes in 3 different sizes depending on how much volume you collect.

Some nursing moms use it without suction, others use very light suction when in use to help encourage a letdown. The design of the ladybug contours to the breast, and the 1.4 oz. and 2.5 oz. sizes are discreet enough to wear in a nursing bra while out and about.

The feet at the bottom allow it to sit up on its own in the fridge and the easy-pour spout helps to transfer milk to storage bags.

Boon Trove Milk Collector vs. Haakaa Ladybug Milk Collector

When it comes down to the Boon Trove vs. Haakaa Ladybug debate, the Trove wins for me. I’ve tried them both, and here’s why I love the Boon Trove:

• It’s easier to position on the breast
• It stays more secure in a bra
• Silicone feels softer and more comfortable on the breast
• The weighted bottom helps keep it more upright and prevents tipping (because really, we can and do cry over spilled breast milk)
• Silicone plugs for each milk collector fit well and make it easier to transport

Other Silicone Breast Milk Collectors

Haakaa Petal Soft Milk Collector

Price: $22.99
Material: 100% food-grade silicone
Milk Storage Volume: 1 oz.

Best for: a soft, flexible fit

These petal soft milk collectors truly live up to their name. The soft, scalloped skirt on the collector fits comfortably. While they only catch up to 1 oz. of milk at a time, they are very discreet so you can wear them out and about.

This milk collector does NOT use suction and passively collects breastmilk so you can save every drop!

Elvie Catch

Price: $24.99 for 2
Material: 100% food-grade silicone
Milk Storage Volume: 1 oz.

Best for: discreet everyday wear

The Elvie Catch is another milk collector that’s discreet enough to wear in public while you collect milk! It’s recommended these only be worn up to 3 hours at a time, though.

Most moms find them super comfortable and leak-proof. The silicone skirt stays put and doesn’t let any drops go to waste! Because of their smaller size, if you have large letdowns, you’ll need to empty them more often.

Breastmilk Collection Shells

Price: $10.99 for 4-pack
Material: BPA-free plastic, silicone
Milk Storage Volume: less than 1 oz.

Best for: nipple protection and small amounts of milk collection

These breastmilk collection shells work for small amounts of milk collection, but also for protecting your nipples from friction and irritation. Let’s face it, sometimes your nipples are so dry and irritated, you don’t want anything touching them! This is where these collection shells come in. As an added bonus, they collect your extra milk drops while helping you feel more comfortable.

The piece that sits on your breast is made of silicone and milk is collected in BPA-free plastic. There is a spout at the top of these for easy pouring and collecting milk.

Overall, these are great milk collectors for small amounts, less than 1 ounce. But if you need more milk storage, you’re better off with another option!

Breastmilk Storage Bags & Containers

Once you use milk collectors, you need a place to transfer the milk for storage! Here are some of our favorite breastmilk storage bags, and my favorite breastmilk containers.

Lansinoh Breastmilk Storage Bags

Price: $13.99 for 100
Material: BPA-free plastic
Volume: 6 oz.

These breastmilk storage bags are so popular and for good reason! They come pre-sterilized, lay flat in the freezer, and are easy to label.

Silicone Breastmilk Storage Bags

Price: $22.99 for 7
Material: food-grade silicone
Volume: 8 oz.

If you’re looking to go plastic-free for your milk storage, these silicone breastmilk storage bags are a great option! Once your baby graduates from breastmilk, you can use these bags for other food storage!

Souper Cubes MyMilk Silicone Breastmilk Freezer Trays

Price: $39.99 for 2-pack
Material: platinum silicone
Volume: 0.5 oz. per section, each try holds 8 oz.

These breastmilk freezer trays are one of my favorite ways to store breastmilk. Each small section holds half an ounce, so you can easily know how much you’re popping out to fill a bottle.

The little cubes fit perfectly into bottles. And, since most exclusively nursing babies take between two and 3 ounces in a bottle it’s really easy to pop the little frozen circles in the bottle to thaw!

Looking for more?

Find our favorite nursing and pumping bras for your feeding journey broken down by price and material.

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