The colostrum takes on greater value in the time of pandemic where every mother’s paramount goal is achieving the fullest potential for a baby’s natural health and immunity.
However, some mothers still have difficulty differentiating colostrum and breastmilk and are surprised to see a yellow milky fluid rather than white milk during the first five (5) days after a child’s birth. The yellow milky fluid or first milk is called “colostrum” (in left of left side photo on top).
Knowing the value of colostrum, will give mothers greater need for more colostrum for their infants. In the article “Colostrum, its Composition, Benefits as a Nutraceutical” Meena Godhia and Neesah Patel (2018) wrote that colostrum contains more lactalbumin and lactoprotein and is rich in antibodies that confer passive immunity to the newborn. It is also rich in proteins, immunoglobulin, lactoferrin, fat, carbohydrates, magnesium, B vitamins, and Vitamins A, C, and E.
Lactalbumin found in colostrum also helps in regulating the production of lactose in the milk of the mother while lactoprotein is an important protein content of breast milk that is beneficial for the development of the nervous system of the infant.
Aside from preventing disorders, colostrum has vital nutrients that help in the growth and tissue development of infants, because it has different growth factors present that provide optimum health and healing. Furthermore, the mother’s first milk is also essential for the treatment of gastrointestinal problems.
Vanshika Gupta Adukia (2018, in the article “15 Things Everyone Tells You About Breastfeeding That Aren’t True”, debunked a myth that says colostrum, or the first milk after childbirth, should be discarded due to its stale appearance and taste. It was added in the article that the milk is neither stale nor harmful, but instead provides first immunity booster shot for infants.
Overall, colostrum is proven to enhance immunity, fight infections, and greatly benefit the gut health of infants.
By: Janna Alexia Necio
Reference:
Adukia, V. (2018). 15 Things Everyone Tells You About Breastfeeding That Aren’t True. Myth Busting. The Swaddle. Retrieved from https://theswaddle.com/15-things-everyones-telling-you-about-breastfeeding-that-just-arent-true/
Godhia, M. & Patel, N. (2013). Colostrum – its Composition, Benefits as a Nutraceutical – A review. SNDT Women’s University, SNDT Vidyavihar, Juhu, Mumbai 400049, India. http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CRNFSJ.1.1.04
