Colostrum - Every Drop Counts
Colostrum is often described as liquid gold, and for good reason too. While it does have a golden tinge, it is also the most precious and valuable food your newborn will receive. Produced in the smallest amounts, colostrum plays an important role in the start of your breastfeeding journey. Read on to find out more about the benefits of colostrum for your baby and why every drop counts.
What is Colostrum?
Colostrum is the yellowish milk you produce right after your baby is born. It can be clear, white, yellow, orange, or even brown/black, and it’s often thick and sticky. In the first few days of breastfeeding, your baby will be perfectly nourished by this nutrient-rich, high-protein, low-fat, digestible liquid. Colostrum is higher in proteins, minerals, salt, vitamin A, nitrogen, white blood cells, and certain antibodies. It is essentially tailored to your newborn’s developmental needs. Although it is produced in almost minute amounts, colostrum is like eating a protein bar with super-concentrated nutrients.
Colostrum supports your baby’s immune system and fights infection
Until your body gets the message to produce breast milk, you will produce colostrum. It is usually produced for the first 2 – 5 days after your baby is born. These drops of colostrum that your newborn receives during the first feedings transfer not only the immunity you have built up over time but also antibodies your body creates on the spot to protect your vulnerable newborn from the environment they are born into.
Colostrum is also packed with immune-boosting cells that help fight infection, such as white blood cells that protect your baby against bacteria and viruses. These are particularly effective against diarrhea and tummy upsets, which is particularly important since babies are born with immature guts.
Colostrum is rich in minerals and vitamins
Colostrum is rich in growth factors, carotenoids, vitamin A, and proteins that will help your baby grow and develop, prebiotics, and minerals such as magnesium:
Vitamin A is important for developing your baby’s vision and keeping your skin and immune system healthy.
Carotenoids are beneficial antioxidants that protect your baby from disease and enhance their immune system.
Magnesium supports your baby’s muscles, heart, and bones.
Rich in growth factors, colostrum stimulates the growth of cells and mucous membranes in your baby’s intestines.
Zinc is important for the development of your baby’s brain. There is almost four times the amount of zinc in colostrum than in mature milk.
Prebiotics are good bacteria that help your baby digest their food.
Colostrum helps prevent jaundice
Colostrum has a laxative effect, helping your baby to void that first poop. Known as meconium, the first poop is usually black and sticky in appearance because it’s made of all the things your baby ingested while in the womb. Colostrum helps your baby get rid of this sticky, tar-like substance and clears the digestive system for normal function.
The more your baby poops in the first few days after birth, the less likely they will develop jaundice. When your baby is born, they generally have high levels of red blood cells circulating around their bodies. The red blood cells break down and are processed by the liver, creating bilirubin. Sometimes your baby’s liver is not yet well-developed enough to process the bilirubin, resulting in jaundice. Frequent pooping helps your baby to flush out this bilirubin, preventing jaundice.
When the mature milk comes in
Colostrum is often viewed as “not enough” due to the small amount produced by the mother’s body. It is important to remember that at the time of delivery, the infant’s stomach is the size of a bead. As their stomach grows, the mother’s milk comes in and provides everything they need for optimal growth.
After about 3-4 days, colostrum transitions to mature breast milk, making your breasts fuller. Mature milk is similar to colostrum, but has a different balance of nutrition, is whiter in color, and is much greater in volume. Like colostrum, mature milk changes to match your baby’s developmental needs.
Conclusion
Although it is produced in very small amounts, colostrum is vital to your breastfeeding journey. It is packed full of important immune-building cells, including antibodies and white blood cells that will help prepare your baby for the challenges he will experience in the world around him. Colostrum is also full of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and growth factors critical to your baby’s development. Remember that at the beginning of your breastfeeding journey, every drop counts.
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