Content
Colostrum is the first milk a woman produces to breastfeed her baby for the first 2 to 4 days after delivery. This breast milk is accumulated in the alveolar cells of the breasts in the last months of pregnancy, being characterized by a yellow color, besides being caloric and nutritious.
Colostrum promotes the growth and health of the newborn, strengthens the relationship between mother and baby and contributes to the maturation of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, it stimulates the baby's immune system, ensuring antibodies that prevent the development of diseases such as allergy or diarrhea, for example, in addition to decreasing the risk of infant morbidity and mortality.
What is it for and what is the composition
Colostrum has the macro and micronutrients necessary to maintain the baby's nutritional status and favor its growth, characterized by being rich in proteins, mainly immunoglobulins, antimicrobial petids, antibodies and other bioactive molecules that have immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties that help to stimulate and develop the baby's immune system, protecting against various diseases.
In addition, colostrum is yellow in color due to the fact that it is rich in carotenoids, which are soon transformed into vitamin A in the body, which also plays a fundamental role in the immune system and visual health, in addition to acting as an antioxidant, helping to decrease the risk of developing chronic diseases.
The first breast milk is easy to digest, contributing to the development of the gastrointestinal system and favoring the establishment of a beneficial intestinal microbiota, in addition to being rich in electrolytes and zinc.
The characteristics of colostrum are appropriate to the needs of the newborn baby. In addition, colostrum only lasts 2 or 3 days, when "milk rises" occurs and transitional milk starts, still yellowish in color.
Colostrum nutritional information
The following table indicates the nutritional composition of colostrum and transitional milk and mature milk:
| Colostrum (g / dL) | Transition milk (g / dL) | Ripe milk (g / dL) |
Protein | 3,1 | 0,9 | 0,8 |
Fat | 2,1 | 3,9 | 4,0 |
Lactose | 4,1 | 5,4 | 6,8 |
Oligosaccharides | 2,4 | - | 1,3 |
During breastfeeding, if the mother has a crack in her nipples it is normal for colostrum to come out with blood but the baby can still breastfeed because it is not harmful to him.
The doctor may recommend the use of a healing ointment for the nipples to be used during all breastfeeding that can prevent these cracks. However, the main cause of cracked nipples is the baby's poor grip on breastfeeding. Check out the complete beginner's guide to breastfeeding.