Within minutes after your baby is born, breastfeeding can begin. The first food your breasts produce is colostrum – a sticky, yellow fluid that contains everything your baby needs to transition to life outside your body. Though all infants benefit from colostrum, preterm infants who take colostrum from the mother’s breast have “significantly better health outcomes” than those who do not.
What is Colostrum?
Colostrum is a breast fluid produced by humans and other mammals in the first few days after birth, before it transitions into breast milk .
It’s very nutritious and contains high levels of antibodies, which are proteins that fight infections and bacteria.
Colostrum promotes growth and health in infants and research shows that it will also promote immunity, fight infections, and improve gut health throughout life.
Highly Nutritious
Colostrum is extremely nutritious and contains more nutrients than regular milk.
In particular, it’s higher in protein, fat, carbs, magnesium, B vitamins, and vitamins A, C, and E than cow’s milk.
While colostrum is rich in macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals, its claimed health benefits are mostly linked to specific protein compounds, which include:
- Lactoferrin. Lactoferrin is a protein involved in your body’s immune response to infections, including those caused by bacteria and viruses.
- Growth factors. Growth factors are hormones that stimulate growth. Bovine colostrum is especially high in two protein-based hormones, insulin-like growth factors.
- Antibodies. Antibodies are proteins, also known as immunoglobulins, used by your immune system to fight bacteria and viruses. Colostrum is rich in antibodies.
Colostrum has many benefits for your newborn:
- Helps your baby build a strong immune system (contains antibodies and white blood cells).
- Creates a tough coating on your baby’s stomach & intestines to keep germs from causing illness.
- Acts as a laxative to help your baby pass meconium (the dark first poop).
- Helps prevent jaundice and gets rid of harmful waste products.
- Gives your baby’s brain, eyes and heart the right blend of nutrients to grow.
- Contains high levels of protein, salts, fats, and vitamins for complete nutrition.
- Complete nutrition that your baby’s stomach can easily digest.
- Helps to prevent low blood sugar in newborns.
When Do I Stop Producing Colostrum?
Your body will produce colostrum exclusively for about 2-5 days after birth. After this, “transitional milk” takes over – this is a mix of colostrum and more mature milk.
Rejoice Pregnancy’s Birth Preparation & Breastfeeding Support Program will ensure your baby has sufficient colostrum and quality milk supply upon his/her arrival!
Contact Us to find out more! 97778010 (WhatsApp)
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