It is very important to start breastfeeding soon after
delivery so that your baby receives the benefits of
colostrum or premilk. Since it is very limited in
volume but very valuable in content, it is crucial
that baby receives frequent feedings so that baby
gets plenty of this yellow, creamy substance before
it is replaced with mature milk. Colostrum is often
referred to as 'liquid gold' perhaps for its properties;
not only does it provide perfect nutrients for a newborn,
it also imparts large amounts of living cells that
provide your child with immunity against many harmful
agents. You may notice the first milk as early as
20 weeks.
Colostrum is:
• Low in fat
• High in protein
• High in carbohydrates
• High in vitamin K
• Easy to digest
The
benefits of Colostrum include:
• Colostrum works as a natural 100% safe vaccine;
the immune agents contained in colostrom is much higher
in comparison to mature milk
• Antibodies called secretory immunoglobulin
A (IgA). Before birth, the placenta provided your
baby with the antibody called IgG; now with this new
antibody your baby receives protection from external
germs in places like the mucous membranes in the throat,
lungs and intestines.
• It plays a key role in the baby's gastrointestinal
tract; the colostrum seals the permeable holes of
the intestines and prevents foreign bodies from entering
the intestines
• It also sensitizes baby to the foods eaten
by you and
• Colostrum also acts as a laxative by loosening
meconium or first stools (black sticky substance contained
in the intestines); excess bilirubin is expelled from
the system thus preventing jaundice
• Colostrum also contains high concentrations
of leucocytes, protective white cells that can destroy
disease causing bacteria and viruses.
• Mature breast milk contain lower concentrations
of antibodies but it is higher in volume. Baby continues
to benefit from the disease fighting properties of
human milk as long as it is breastfed.
