Dubbed as liquid gold, colostrum is oozing with unicorn and rainbow goodness. Yes, the benefits of colostrum are that good! Months before giving birth, your body actually starts producing colostrum, and this liquid will be the first thing that your baby will consume.
What is colostrum?
Colostrum is the very first thing that comes out of a mother’s breasts. It is clear yellow in colour and is somewhat thicker than the actual breast milk. It is high in proteins and carbohydrates. With just a few tablespoons of colostrum, a newborn baby will be satiated.
Benefits of colostrum
The benefits of colostrum are greatly preached by advocates. It is full of immunoglobulins and antibodies that help strengthen the baby’s fragile and developing immune system. Colostrum also contains a lot of prebiotics, probiotics and oligosaccharides, which can’t be found in formulas. The laxative effect of colostrum helps prevent constipation in babies and further protects them from jaundice. This super milk is definitely the stuff that super babies are made of!
Because colostrum is high in nutrition and not in fat, breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from obesity. One of the benefits of colostrum is the fact that it contains white blood cells that help protect the body and destroy bacteria and viruses. After a few days, colostrum will change to regular breast milk so it should be consumed as often as possible.
Breastfeeding basics
In order to get all the benefits of colostrum, mum should ensure that her baby is prepped for breastfeeding. As soon as the baby is born, the mum must immediately move her angel to the breast to suckle.
The first few hours or days of breastfeeding can get rocky. But as long as the baby learns to latch properly and milk supply is consistently flowing, all the benefits of colostrum will be absorbed.
Breastfeeding advantages
With the many benefits of colostrum, women need to remember that breastfeeding by itself has a lots of advantages too. Here are some of them:
Lessens chances of osteoporosis
Women who continuously breastfeed are less likely to develop osteoporosis and bone problems compared to mothers who decided to use formula.
Reduces weight
Yes, breastfeeding does promote weight loss. In fact, breast feeding mothers can return to their pre-partum size in just a few months.
Saves money
Formula costs a lot of money while breast milk costs nothing. In a span of a year, these savings will actually be substantial.
Baby and parent relationship
Mothers who consistently breast feed are closer to their children and have a great relationship.
If you are thinking about whether to breastfeed or opt for milk formula, it is important to note that nothing is better than the benefits of colostrum and breast milk.
Are you convinced of the benefits of colostrum? Are you going to breastfeed your baby too? Tell us about your breastfeeding plans and leave a comment below.
Need Help? Don’t fret!
When in doubt, please refer to a lactation consultant, who can offer you more personalised advice according to you and your baby’s situation.