How frequently should I breastfeed?

Breastfeeding should be done eight to twelve times a day for the first month or so after birth. Since breast milk is easily digested, babies frequently experience hunger. During the first few weeks, frequent feedings help to promote your milk production.

How long should I breastfeed my baby?

For the first six months, experts advise breastfeeding exclusively—without the use of water, juice, non-breast milk, or food. After that, if breastfeeding is beneficial to you and your child, doctors advise sticking with it for a full two years or beyond.

Is it normal to have cramps while breastfeeding?

Yes. When your milk "lets down" (begins to flow), you may experience intense, menstrual-like cramps in your uterus during the first few days to weeks following delivery. It is the uterus contracting back down to its original size.

Is it normal to feel pain during or after breastfeeding?

At the start of a breastfeeding session, some mothers experience some discomfort when their newborns latch on properly. The discomfort should subside after that. While your baby is nursing, you could feel a slight tug on your breasts, but it shouldn't hurt.

How do I store my breast milk?

Your expressed or pumped breast milk can be frozen or kept cold. Store it in tight-fitting, clean screw-capped bottles, nursing bags (sterilised bags specifically designed to hold breast milk), or hard plastic cups. To ensure that no breast milk goes to waste, it is preferable to freeze it in 2- to 4-ounce (59.1 to 118.2 millilitre) quantities rather than larger portions.

What type of pump do I need for breastfeeding?

This depends on how often you plan to use your pump. Electric pumps work better for frequent or daily pumping, whereas manual pumps work best for occasional uses.

What are the benefits of breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding has immense benefits for the mother as well as the baby. Nursing reduces a newborn's risk of contracting diseases like type 1 diabetes, obesity, asthma, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Breastfeeding mothers, on the other hand, have a decreased risk of developing high blood pressure, and ovarian and breast cancer.

February 12, 2025

Colostrum Milk: The Liquid Gold Your Baby Needs

What Is Colostrum Milk and Why Is It So Important?
4 Major Benefits of Colostrum Milk for Your Baby
The Difference Between Colostrum Milk and Breast Milk
What Makes Colostrum Milk as Precious as Gold?
In Conclusion, Colostrum Milk Is Crucial for Your Little One
References:

When it comes to giving her little one the best start in life, a mother leaves no stone unturned, and breastfeeding is one of the most important ways a mother can nurture her baby and provide the best care. A newborn’s first source of nourishment comes from the mother’s breast milk. While many are familiar with breast milk, fewer realize the unique and crucial role that colostrum plays in the baby’s early development. Colostrum, often called liquid gold, is a special type of breast milk produced in the first few days after childbirth, typically lasting until the 7th day. This yellowish milk is rich in essential nutrients that form the foundation for the baby’s health.

In this article, we’ll explore what colostrum is, how it differs from regular breast milk, and, most importantly, why colostrum is the liquid gold that every baby needs.

So, What Is Colostrum Milk and Why Is It So Important?

To answer the question, what is colostrum milk – it is the first milk a mother’s body produces after childbirth. Colostrum, also known as the mother’s first milk, forms in the mammary glands (breasts) and is produced until approximately the 7th day of the newborn’s life. This early milk plays a crucial role in building the baby’s immune system. Colostrum is the first milk the baby receives when breastfeeding begins. Often referred to as liquid gold due to its rich, golden color, colostrum is packed with essential nutrients and immune-boosting properties, providing vital health benefits for the newborn.

Colostrum is packed with protein and is low in fat and sugar. It also contains white blood cells that produce antibodies, offering protection against infections. Despite being produced in small amounts, colostrum is highly nutrient-rich, so your baby only needs a little to reap its many health benefits.

4 Major Benefits of Colostrum Milk for Your Baby

Colostrum helps build your baby’s immune system while providing essential nutrients. Here are some of the major colostrum milk benefits.

Strengthens Immune System
One of the most remarkable benefits of a mother's first milk, known as colostrum, is its ability to boost the newborn's immune system. The antibodies present in colostrum provide vital protection against infections, helping shield the baby during their early days of life.
Supports Digestive Health
In the first few days after birth, the baby’s digestive system is still developing. The yellowish breast milk, or colostrum, supports this development by encouraging the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and inhibiting harmful ones. The prebiotics in colostrum helps nurture a healthy microbiome, which is essential for the baby’s digestive health and overall well-being.
Regulates Blood Sugar
Some full-term babies may experience low blood sugar after birth. Colostrum milk helps regulate this by providing a natural source of sugar, particularly lactose (though in less amount), which gives the baby immediate energy. Early feeding with colostrum supports the stabilization of blood sugar levels and promotes a healthy start.
Rich In Nutrients
Mother's first milk, or colostrum, is packed with nutrients, containing higher levels of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Vitamin A in colostrum milk supports vision, skin health, and immunity, while zinc helps in wound healing and strengthens the immune system. Additionally, proteins like epidermal growth factor (EGF) promote the development of the baby’s organs and tissues.

The Difference Between Colostrum Milk and Breast Milk

Colostrum	Breastmilk
Produced during the first few days after the baby's birth.	Produced after colostrum, generally after 3-5 days
Thick, yellowish, and golden in color.	White to slightly bluish in color.
Rich in lactose and protein.	Higher in calories and fat.
Its consistency is thick and sticky.	Breastmilk has a thin, creamy, and more fluid consistency.
Colostrum is extremely nutrient-dense.	Breastmilk is less nutrient-dense but provides long-term nourishment.
Colostrum is low in fat.	Breast milk is higher in fat, particularly as it matures.

What Makes Colostrum Milk as Precious as Gold?

Colostrum, the yellowish breast milk produced early in breastfeeding, is a powerhouse of nutrients that offer unmatched protection and nourishment for your baby. It’s packed with essential components like:

Immunoglobulin A (Antibody that shields against infections)
Lactoferrin (Protein that helps prevent harmful bacteria from entering the body)
Leukocytes (White blood cells that boost immunity)
Epidermal growth factor (Protein that promotes healthy cell growth)

Colostrum's golden hue, earning it the name liquid gold, comes from carotenoids (antioxidants) and vitamin A, which play a key role in your baby’s vision, skin health, and immune system. Additionally, colostrum is rich in magnesium, supporting heart and bone development, as well as copper and zinc, which enhances the immunity of the baby.

In Conclusion, Colostrum Milk Is Crucial for Your Little One

The first few days of a baby’s life are crucial for their health and development, and colostrum is the vital liquid gold your baby needs during this time. Packed with essential nutrients, antibodies, and growth factors, it offers immune protection, supports digestive health, and promotes healthy growth and development of the baby. The importance of breastfeeding within those first hours cannot be overstated, as it kick-starts a strong foundation for your baby’s health journey, and by providing your newborn with colostrum milk, you’re giving them the best gift for a thriving, healthy future.