You may have heard of liquid gold to describe colostrum, and it is not only because of its yellow colour but also because of the valuable benefits it provides for your newborn.
What is colostrum?
Colostrum is the first milk your body produces during pregnancy. It forms in your breasts (mammary glands) and plays a vital role in building your baby's immune system. If you choose to breastfeed, colostrum is the first milk your baby will obtain from your breasts. Colostrum is high in protein, vitamins, minerals, and antibodies that help develop your baby's immune system.
What does colostrum contain?
Colostrum is enriched with protein and is low in sugar and fat. It is filled with white blood cells that produce antibodies which strengthen your baby's immune system, protecting them from infection. Even in tiny doses colostrum is highly concentrated and packed with nutrients, so your baby does not need much to reap its golden benefits.
Nutrients in colostrum
Colostrum is made up of a few important things such as:
- immunoglobulin A — an antibody
- lactoferrin — a protein that helps fight infection
- leukocytes — white blood cells
- epidermal growth factor — a protein that stimulates cell growth
The golden-yellow colour of colostrum is from carotenoids (an antioxidant) and vitamin A. Vitamin A helps with your baby's vision and skin as well as the immune system. Colostrum is also rich in magnesium which supports your baby's heart and bones, and copper and zinc which also support immunity.
The difference between colostrum and breast milk
Colostrum is the nutrient-dense first milk produced by your breasts during pregnancy. It changes to transitional breast milk a few days after your baby is born. But, small amounts of colostrum remain in your breast milk for a few weeks.
Colostrum has more nutrients as compared to breast milk.
- colostrum has two times as much protein
- colostrum has four times as much zinc
- colostrum is lower in fat and sugar so it is easier to digest
- colostrum is more concentrated and yellow
Benefits of colostrum
Other than helping with your baby's immune system and fighting off infection, some other benefits of colostrum may include:
- helps to establish a healthy gut by coating the intestines to keep harmful bacteria from being absorbed
- provides ideal nutrition for your newborn
- has a laxative effect that helps your baby take their first poop and lessens the risk of jaundice
- easy to digest
- helps hinder low blood sugar in full-term babies
Why is colostrum so important for newborns?
It has all the necessary nutrients needed by your baby in the first few days of life. It is also packed with vitamins and minerals to strengthen your baby's immunity.
The slow flow of colostrum from your nipples will help your baby to learn to breastfeed.
