Colostrum is your newborn's first food. Here's why its awesome and important

How awesome is Colostrum?

This is a PSA announcement: Colostrum is your ‘first milk’. It’s how you start your baby’s nutrition off right. It’s a word that many people don’t understand fully. But that’s what we here for! We’ll set the record straight. I’ve met many moms who are told that their milk hasn’t come in as yet, when in fact it has always been there. If you’re a new mom and someone says this to you, tell them that you read it here. Re-assure them that your milk is in fact in. You’ve been producing colostrum since you were about 20 weeks pregnant.

Colostrum is a yellow, sticky fluid that provides all the nutrients your baby needs to grow healthily and strong. It has a high percentage of active antibodies that can help your baby fight off bacteria and infections. It is worthy to note that the breasts release colostrum for only a few days (2-5) after delivery. Afterward, mature then advance breast milk production takes over. We recommend, even if you don’t plan of breastfeeding long term, to let you baby get a healthy start with the colostrum you’ve been making months in advance. We get it, breast feeding is hard. You’ve probably heard the horror stories. But the best way to start your baby off right is to let them drink that colostrum.

Health Benefits of Colostrum for Babies:

Colostrum boosts immune function

Colostrum strengthens your baby’s immune system, giving your baby that extra strength to fight off bacteria and infections. Colostrum have antibodies such as IgG and IgA which boost the immune system of your baby. Colostrum also has a high percentage of leukocytes and white blood cells that will protect your baby against common illnesses such as diarrhea, flu, and cough. It also protects your baby from respiratory infections and other ENT (ear, nose, throat) infections. Newly born babies are not born with a developed immune system and colostrum gives them the help they need.

Colostrum improves gut health

Breastfeeding your baby with colostrum strengthens his/her health and helps fight off infections from the digestive tract. The sticky milk contains lactoferrin which strengthens the stomach walls and boosts the growth of the intestinal cells. It also contains a high level of immunoglobulin protein IgA, which minimizes inflammatory cytokines and lessens the chances of your baby getting irritable bowel syndrome. The gut is also vital for nutrient absorption, meaning colostrum offers other linked benefits to the body as a whole! Your baby’s health can be delicate. Colostrum help balance all the interconnected parts that make your baby healthy.

Colostrum helps prevent jaundice

Babies are prone to developing jaundice shortly after birth and colostrum help prevent or fight it. Bilirubin is a byproduct produced by the body during the breaking down of red blood cells. Since the liver of a newly born cannot form bilirubin, they face a risk of developing jaundice. Luckily, colostrum contains properties that help produce bilirubin thereby minimizing the risk of jaundice in your baby. Jaundice can be prevented with the help of colostrum.

Colostrum provides energy

Kids of all ages, babies included, need a source of energy for healthy growth and development. For babies, colostrum provides this energy. Colostrum is filled with nutrients such as carbohydrates, healthy fats, and proteins. By breastfeeding your baby with colostrum, you provide the energy he/she needs to grow. Even if you decide not to breastfeed for very long, colostrum gives baby a healthy start to life.

Colostrum helps remove meconium

Meconium is the greenish waste that lines a baby’s intestines when he/she is still in the womb. After delivery, the meconium will be excreted by the baby. Colostrum helps make the elimination of meconium easier for your baby. This is because it has a laxative effect that makes it easier for your baby to excrete. Every part of your baby’s health is affected by the receiving or not receiving colostrum. Make sure baby gets what it deserves!

Colostrum helps babies sleep

Colostrum contains a lot of protein and healthy fats. These contents help your baby sleep peacefully and for a longer period by keeping their bellies full. Remember that babies need a lot of sleep/rest for their systems to develop healthily. And, when baby sleeps, YOU get to sleep too. See, your body made colostrum for your baby and you!

Colostrum supports growth and development

In the first few months after the birth of your child, he/she will require special nutrients for growth and development. While regular breast milk contains most of these nutrients, colostrum has them in a higher degree.

Colostrum provides your baby with healthy fats, protein, carbohydrates, antibodies, minerals, and enzymes, all at once. Colostrum is like a great starter pack for your baby’s health.  

Colostrum is easily available

One of the best things about colostrum is that it is getting ready the moment you birth your baby. This way you can easily feed your baby with all the nutrients they require to adapt to life outside the womb, and to grow healthily. Don’t miss your chance to get baby off on the right foot!

Within the first 2 to 4 days after birth, you can feed your baby with the best food available for him or her. It will come out through regular breastfeeding, but you’ll notice that colostrum will leak out, even while pregnant. The color and consistency will be different enough for you to notice. Your body will give it to your baby when it’s ready. 

Colostrum is the perfect food for newly born babies. Natural colostrum has no downsides or side effects, only benefits and nutrients. Take advantage of the first few days after your delivery to give your baby the nutrients he or she needs for healthy growth!

So, to summarize, why is colostrum so important? Your body, even during pregnancy, made a specific mixture for when your baby needed it most. The start of life outside of Mom’s womb is a scary thing for baby! Get your baby off to the best start with colostrum.