Colostrum, as its name implies, is the milk secreted by new mothers after childbirth. Some mothers feel that colostrum is yellow in color and sticky and looks dirty, so they squeeze it out directly and do not give it to their babies.
In fact, colostrum is the best and most precious nutritional gift given by mothers to newborn babies.
The process of milk secretion
After giving birth, the hormone level in the body changes and the breast begins to secrete milk. Milk secretion has a process, which can be divided into colostrum, transitional milk, mature milk and late milk according to different secretion stages.
- Colostrum: Milk of women within 4-5 days after delivery; Transition milk: milk of women within 6-10 days after delivery; Mature milk: endocrine milk of women 2 weeks to 9 months after delivery; Late milk: Milk secreted by a woman 10 months after delivery.
In addition, some women secrete colostrum during pregnancy. These are normal phenomena and expectant mothers need not worry.
Colostrum is the most suitable food for newborn babies.
The nutritional composition of colostrum is different from that of mature milk, which is very suitable for newborn babies.
1. Rich nutrients
The protein content in colostrum reaches 10%, while that in mature milk is only 1%. Moreover, colostrum is rich in lactoferrin, which helps prevent anemia in newborns.
In addition, the content of multivitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids (the most famous is what we often call DHA and ARA) in colostrum is several times that of mature milk.
2. Enhance the baby’s immunity
Colostrum is rich in antibodies, such as immunoglobulin, white blood cells, lysozyme and antibacterial factors.
When the baby is born, its immune system is not mature. These ingredients in colostrum help to enhance the baby’s immunity.
3. It is more suitable for digestion and absorption of newborn babies.
The newborn’s digestive system is not yet fully developed and its digestion of fat and sugar is poor. Compared with mature milk, colostrum contains less fat and lactose, which is more suitable for newborn babies to digest and absorb.
Why is colostrum yellow?
In fact, this is exactly the manifestation of rich nutrition with colostrum.
Colostrum is rich in carotene, which makes it pale yellow. The thick texture of colostrum is due to its rich protein content.
Cherish colostrum and open milk as soon as possible.
Colostrum is so good, what a pity to squeeze it out.
New mothers should open their milk as soon as possible. Generally speaking, they can breast-feed within half an hour after delivery.