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colostrum - sometimes spelt as collostrum, colostrom, kolostrum, culostrom, colustrum
Colostrum 2u Australia
Colostrum related article
Colostrum benefits: Why colostrum is good for your health
Whether she knows it or not, when
a female starts to breastfeed her newborn child in the first few days,
she is helping to safeguard her baby from infection. But how exactly does early
breastfeeding protect an infant against germs and viruses? The answer is of course,
colostrum.
Breast is best
Frequent breastfeedings during the first days guarantees that your baby gets the all important colostrum.
This is often called the 'first day milk'. Colostrum is a powerful concentrated
form of natural breast milk. Unlike breast milk in the later weeks, months and
years to follow, it's golden yellow color and has the consistency of liquid
honey.
Colostrum contains
immune cells that neutralize and destroys most harmful germs and pathogens that could
harm your precious child. This is important as the most beneficial of the antibodies
present in mother's colostrum, called IgA, can't be produced by the newborn baby
itself.
Types of Germs
As well
as
warding off early infection, colostrum is also highly nutritious
in value. It verily contains a high level of quality fatty acids that your
baby needs. It also full of an enzyme called lipase, which keeps the fat globules small
and virtually easy to digest; lactose, the prime sugar found in breast milk;
vitamin D, iron and potassium. And we must not forget about your physical hormones
and enzymes that you unknowingly pass on to your baby via your breast
milk.
Colostrum also does so much more than that. It lines your baby's stomach with micro-organisms (intestinal flora) thus making digestion easier for normal breast milk. Frequent feeding of concentrated colostrum will also expand your baby's small stomach; when your child is first born, its stomach is the size of a matured walnut! Finally, colostrum also stimulates the intestines into action, which helps to clear the dreadful meconium (your baby's first stools) from your child's bowel. After a few days your baby's bowel will be in excellent shape to receive your follow-up breast milk.
You should plan to
breastfeed from the moment your child is born. Colostrum is produced in
the first 2 to 3 days just after birth and it is particularly important
that your child gets your precious colostrum. Most hospitals now make a
mother and child to stay together so that a mother can feed her child
immediately and frequently. This was not always so and sometimes, even
today, mothers and babies are separated to 'allow mother to rest'. This is
total nonsense. Remember, don't allow yourself to be parted from your
child if at all possible.
Your normal breast
milk should come in around day 2 or 3 and may be an uncomfortable period
for mother. You may feel emotional, depressed and prone to whining. This
is so natural. You may also experience some uncomfort as your breast may
become very well swollen, hot or hard. Your nipples may become engorged
and your baby may find it difficult to milk on.
A smiling, healthy baby
All problems can be
overcome with conviction, patience and help from professional health care
workers, your family and close friends. Don't be put off from
breastfeeding. Colostrum is the best possible start in life any baby could
have.
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