Colostrum
August is breastfeeding month. Experts on neonatal care are encouraging all mothers to give breastmilk to their babies because research shows the great benefits of breastmilk especially to the growth and development of babies.
For today’s issue, I will focus on Colostrum.
What is Colostrum?
Colostrum is the secretion of human breast during the first 2-4 days after birth. It is a deep yellow fluid containing more protein mostly globulin, more vitamins (specially Vit A), more salt, more immune bodies(Ig A) but less fat and sugar than mature milk.
About 10-40 ml of colostrum are secreted per day. Also documented is the presence of mononuclear cells in colostrum which are mostly macrophages and are capable of phagocytosis.
In addition to these, the colostrum also has the complete complement system as well as factors of the alternate complement pathway. The higher protein content in the colostrum reflects the high concentration of immunoglobulins in the human breastmilk.
So dear mothers, the earlier you start breastfeeding your newborns the better benefits they will get from your breastmilk.