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Colostrum is a colloquial term for the first milk of a nursing mother. The yellowish and rather thick liquid initially does not resemble milk at all, but has the advantage of having valuable nutrients. Colostrum lasts for several hours after giving birth, and it can build up your baby’s immunity and supply them with valuable vitamins and minerals. When exactly does colostrum appear and what is its composition?
What is colostrum?
Colostrum is a thick and yellow secretion from the mammary gland. Colostrum is the starting milk that is produced during pregnancy. The first colostrum may appear around the 20th week of pregnancy. Colostrum is not produced in all women, and it is not uncommon for the amount of colostrum after birth to be quite small. On average, 1 serving of colostrum is one teaspoon. Despite the small amount of colostrum, it is very valuable for babies, especially in their first days of life. It contains numerous leukocytes and antibodies that build and strengthen the baby’s immune system. It should be remembered that the appearance of colostrum before childbirth and its absence after childbirth is not a signal for mum to be worried.
When does colostrum appear?
As previously mentioned, colostrum does not appear in every woman who gives birth to a child. Whether and when colostrum occurs is purely individual. The first food in the mammary glands is formed during pregnancy. Antenatal milk is produced and collected in the milk ducts between 16 and 23 weeks of pregnancy. The first drops of colostrum may appear during pregnancy, but their amount may go unnoticed by the mother-to-be. The first colostrum spills are so skimpy that they absorb into the fabric of the bra. Most often, colostrum appears shortly after birth and is the first food for a newborn baby.
Colostrum – what is its composition?
Colostrum is a food that is a mixture of numerous ingredients with various chemical, physical and biological properties. The main ingredients of colostrum are water, protein, fats, sugars, and cholesterol. The composition of colostrum is completed with over 250 natural chemical compounds, including hormones, enzymes, polyamides, nucleic acid derivatives, amino acid derivatives and others. In addition, colostrum is rich in vitamins and minerals.
Colostrum – nutritional values
Colostrum is appreciated in feeding a baby, mainly because of its nutrient content. The ingredients that make up colostrum can be divided into the following groups:
- vitamins: vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyrodxine, cobalamin, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, pantothenic acid;
- minerals: chlorine, chromium, zinc, phosphorus, aluminum, magnesium, cobalt, manganese, copper, potassium, selenium, sulfur, sodium, calcium and iron;
- amino acids: alanine, arginine, beta-alanine, cysteine, citrulline, glutamine, glycine, leucine, lysine, taurine, valine;
- natural growth factors;
- immunoglobulins;
- immunity regulators.
Colostrum – properties for a child
Colostrum is called a natural vaccine for babies, which is why so many mothers want to feed their little ones with it. Colostrum protects a child’s body against many pathogens, including viruses and bacteria. In addition, it supports the colonization of bacteria in the digestive system, stimulating the excretion of meconium. This in turn makes it easier to excrete bilirubin, which prevents the development of physiological jaundice.
Colostrum occurs not only in the female body, but also in animals, which is used to produce dietary supplements to support immunity. This is because, for example, bovine colostrum also has a very valuable composition. We recommend, for example, Colostrum bovinum Xenico, a dietary supplement for immunity that can be purchased at a favorable price on Medonet Market.