Colostrum refers to the milk secreted by mothers within 4-5 days after giving birth. It is rich in nutrients and resistance factors, and has high value. Colostrum is scarce, and many mothers do not pay enough attention to it, thinking that the baby can eat it or not; some elderly people even think that colostrum is dirty and should not be given to the baby. In fact, colostrum is the first precious gift that mothers give to their babies. It not only contains nutrition and antibodies, which are beneficial to the baby's health and resistance to diseases, but also helps to establish a close relationship with the mother as early as possible. Even if the colostrum is scarce or the mother does not intend to breastfeed, the baby must be given colostrum. Let's take a look at how the baby should consume the first mouthful of breast milk.
What is colostrum?
The baby's body keeps growing after birth, and breast milk changes to adapt to the baby's body changes. In addition to the fat lymphocytes ingested by phagocytosis, colostrum also contains mammary gland cells, cell fragments from ducts, and nuclei. Due to the higher content of salts such as calcium phosphate and calcium chloride in colostrum, it has a mild laxative effect and higher calorie content than mature milk. After the hormonal effect of the placenta disappears in the mother's body after childbirth, the prolactin starts to work, and then milk production begins.
Colostrum should not be wasted. Generally speaking, after the baby's umbilical cord is properly handled, the mother can try to breastfeed the baby. Colostrum is pale yellow and slightly sticky, with a small amount of secretion. Although it may not look appealing, colostrum contains a large amount of antibodies, which can protect the baby from bacterial invasion. Therefore, mothers should try their best to feed colostrum to their babies to reduce the occurrence of neonatal diseases.
Nutritional composition of colostrum
1. Protein. The protein content in colostrum is much higher than that in mature milk, especially the whey protein content. Colostrum contains 5 times more protein than regular milk, especially richer in immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, growth factors, macrophages, neutrophils, and lymphocytes. These substances all have functions of preventing infection and enhancing immunity.
2. Vitamins. The vitamin content in colostrum is also significantly higher than that in regular milk. The content of vitamin B2 in colostrum is sometimes 3-4 times higher than that in regular milk, and the content of niacin is also higher.
3. Lactose. Colostrum has a lower lactose content and higher ash content, especially high sodium and chloride content. The content of trace elements such as copper, iron, and zinc in colostrum is significantly higher than that in regular milk, giving it a slightly salty taste. The iron content in colostrum is about 3-5 times that of regular milk, and the copper content is about 6 times that of regular milk.
4. Immune cells. Various cells in colostrum have certain immune functions. For example, neutrophils can phagocytose and digest bacteria, mononuclear macrophages can phagocytose and kill various pathogenic microorganisms, and eliminate aging, damaged, or dead cells, and kill tumor cells. Lymphocytes in colostrum are the most important immune cells in the human body.
5. Immunoglobulins. Colostrum contains a large amount of immunoglobulins that can resist various diseases. They have an enhancing effect on the immune system of newborns and can prevent neonatal infections.
6. Fat. The fat content in colostrum is not as high as that in mature milk, which is in line with the poor digestion and absorption capacity of the newborn's gastrointestinal tract for fat.
How to ensure that the baby consumes colostrum?
"Three attachments" and "three earlies" are important methods for the baby to consume colostrum and establish a mother-child relationship. Within 30 minutes after the baby is born, their sucking reflex is the strongest. At this time, "three attachments" should be effectively implemented, which means that the baby's chest should be attached to the mother's chest, the baby's abdomen should be attached to the mother's abdomen, and the baby's mouth should be attached to the mother's breast. And "three earlies", which means early touch, early suckling, and early milk production. These are the most powerful guarantees for the baby to consume colostrum as early as possible.
The World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund believe that besides breast milk, newborns should not be fed any other drinks, and bottles and pacifiers should not be used. The reason is that when the baby can easily suck sweet milk from the bottle, they will be unwilling to suck the mother's nipple, which is called "nipple confusion". Breast milk is more abundant the more it is sucked, so mothers should not easily give up breastfeeding.
