Breastfeeding/Colostrum

Colostrum is produced by the breasts in both pregnancy and in the early days of breastfeeding. It is a golden color and thick and sometimes referred to as "liquid gold" because of it's high nutritive content and the antibodies that it provides to newborns. Colostrum is not measured in ounces the way that breast milk is. It is only measured in teaspoons. A newborn baby's stomach is about the size of a chick pea the first day so teaspoon amounts are all that is necessary. As colostrum turns into breastmilk during the first few days of breastfeeding, the golden color fades into a whiter milkier color.

According to La Leche League International: "'Colostrum actually works as a natural and 100% safe vaccine. It contains large quantities of an antibody called secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) which is a new substance to the newborn. Before your baby was born, he received the benefit of another antibody, called IgG, through your placenta. IgG worked through the baby's circulatory system, but IgA protects the baby in the places most likely to come under attack from germs, namely the mucous membranes in the throat, lungs, and intestines. Colostrum has an especially important role to play in the baby's gastrointestinal tract. A newborn's intestines are very permeable. Colostrum seals the holes by 'painting' the gastrointestinal tract with a barrier which mostly prevents foreign substances from penetrating and possibly sensitizing a baby to foods the mother has eaten.'" To view a picture of colostrum being hand expressed go HERE.

This entry was added to the original BirthWiki by amyncarter on 19 July 2009.