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Gold Rush!

Discover the Power of Colostrum

By Ann Calandro, RNC, IBCLC

Sometimes, because Mother has not yet felt her breasts fill with milk or leak noticeably since the birth of her baby, she may worry that the baby is "not getting anything yet." Nothing could be further from the truth. Inside her baby's body, mysterious and wonderful changes are occurring with each nursing. Colostrum – even in small amounts – is a laxative, stimulating the passage of meconium (the thick, black first stools), thus decreasing the chance of jaundice.

It is digested quickly and stabilizes Baby's blood sugar. It protects the digestive tract membrane, building a barrier to infections. It establishes bifidus flora (the beneficial bacteria) in the digestive tract. Colostrum builds the immune system and contributing growth factors. Being a live fluid similar to blood, it is able to build and change the baby's gut and prepare and protect it from all types of germs. Think of it as a kind of special sealant.

Interestingly, if the baby is born early, colostrum has even more potential for preventing infections. It is especially important for premature babies to receive the colostrum Mother has produced.

Want to see more?

• Precious Moments: Making the Most of First Nursings
• Holding On: Basic Breastfeeding Positions
• Too Much Milk: How to Avoid Engorgement
• Talk about it!

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