Index
Breastfeeding is a female gift, where your own body produces the appropriate and necessary food to nourish and feed the baby without supplementation. But much is said about the importance of breastfeeding, but little is said about colostrum. And do you know what it is about? And how important is it?
What is Colostrum?
Colostrum is considered the treasure, the “gold” of breastfeeding , as it is the first liquid to come out of the breasts and contains the greatest nutrients, proteins and everything the baby needs to nourish itself.
Colostrum comes out of the breasts right after delivery, has a yellowish appearance, sometimes transparent, liquid and is considered very fat and caloric and is produced in the right measure to breastfeed the baby in the first 2 or 3 days of life. With exclusive breastfeeding, colostrum will give way to breast milk that will come in full force to feed your baby on demand.
Other Colostrum Importances
In addition to the nutritional importance that colostrum has in the baby’s health, it has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and substances that help the newborn’s immunity . These are essential points to guarantee the baby’s quality of life, keeping him away from possible diarrhea and allergies that are so common due to his sensitivity.
Babies who are fed through breast milk and mainly breastfed colostrum have greater immunity than those who did not breastfeed, suffering less from infections even those considered more common, such as viral infections.
What’s in the Maternal Colostrum?
That colostrum is rich in nutrients and considered the most caloric part of breast milk is now known. But what is so important about this liquid considered gold? What is so special and unique about this little liquid that the body itself produces? Can’t we find another alternative to replace it?
Colostrum contains large amounts of protein, vitamins, minerals, water, carbohydrates and leukocytes that are extremely important for nutrition and to strengthen the baby’s immune system. Its proportion of fat is lower than that of mature milk, but it has a higher concentration of sodium, potassium and chlorine, in addition to immunoglobulins.
That is why in medicine a very logical comparison is made, from colostrum to receiving the first vaccine, because its action is protective against various infections. The vitamin A contained in its composition has an important factor in protecting the eyes and fighting infections.
In addition to all the nutrition and protection provided through colostrum, it is through ingestion that the bowel function is sharpened so that meconium is expelled with greater agility, thereby decreasing the chances of jaundice.
Maternal Antibodies
It is in the colostrum that maternal antibodies are passed on to the baby protecting it from external factors after birth. After the first three days, the transition milk until mature milk arrives will be the baby’s food. It has a higher index of fat and sugar and the woman will feel her breasts heavier and fuller than in other stages of breastfeeding.
No matter how many formulas and supplements are created, none will do the same job as colostrum and breast milk. None will be able to achieve the same nutrients and provide what maternal nature itself provides, which are maternal antibodies. That is why doctors affirm, recommend and reinforce the importance of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life.
Breastfeeding is a true act of love, of persistence and overcoming of mothers. It is a moment of total surrender and not everything happens as in the soap opera scene. In the first few days it is common for women to feel pain, nipples crack, milk to stiffen and the desire to stop breastfeeding until it arises, but any beneficial action of colostrum and breast milk in a baby’s life is worth the effort .
Besides of course, the moment of breastfeeding is a delight, eyes in the eyes and those little hands touching you while you feed yourself deliciously. In the first days, as cracks are common, the nipple may bleed, so don’t worry if the baby ends up sucking the milk with a little blood, it won’t hurt.
Talk to your doctor to recommend an ointment that helps in healing the nipple or use the milk itself for healing. Sunbathing is also a natural remedy that helps a lot in the breastfeeding process, as it makes the nipple skin firmer and helps to heal the injured area.
See Also: How to Increase Breast Milk – Beginning Breastfeeding
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
