Colostrum is the first food for newborns that comes out of the mother's breast air sgut imom (breast milk). Colostrum has many important roles for the baby's health, one of which is to help strengthen body enduranceyour baby.
Colostrum has started to be produced since pregnancy or around the 7th month of pregnancy, until 2-4 days after giving birth. Colostrum is slightly different in color and texture from breast milk. Colostrum is golden yellow in color and has a thicker texture.
A few days after the baby is born, colostrum will be replaced by transitional milk, before finally becoming real milk. Gradually, the milk will become thinner and whiter in color.
Know the Contents of Colostrum
The average woman will produce about 50 ml of colostrum fluid, within 48 to 72 hours after giving birth. Colostrum contains white blood cells and immune-forming substances called immunoglobulins. Both of these ingredients play an important role in helping the baby's body fight bacteria, fungi, and viruses that cause infections.
Not only that, colostrum also contains important nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, water, vitamins A, B, and K, as well as potassium, zinc, and calcium needed by babies to support the process of growth and development.
Various Benefits of Colostrum for Babies
There are many benefits of colostrum for baby's health, including:
1. Increase endurance
There have been many health studies that reveal that colostrum is very important to strengthen the baby's immune system. Babies who are given colostrum and breast milk have been shown to get sick less often. Colostrum makes babies more protected from various diseases, such as: pneumonia, flu, bronchitis, and diarrhea.
2. Supports digestive health
Colostrum that is drunk by the baby will become a thin layer in the digestive tract. This layer serves to protect the intestines and stomach from irritation and infection. A healthy digestive tract will make the baby able to absorb nutrients better.
In addition, colostrum can also prevent the risk of the baby getting infected necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which is an infectious disease that can damage the baby's intestinal wall. This disease can endanger the baby's life if not treated.
3. Prevent jaundice
Jaundice is usually caused by a buildup of bilirubin, a substance that gives urine and stool their yellow color. If the bilirubin level is too high, the baby's body may turn yellow. Colostrum that babies drink has a laxative effect, so babies can get rid of bilirubin through feces better.
4. Supports optimal growth and development
Colostrum has benefits as a nutritional complement in the growth and development of nerves in infants. Babies who were given colostrum and breast milk had an increase in body weight and better brain neurodevelopment, when compared to babies who were fed formula milk.
Besides being beneficial for babies, colostrum is also beneficial for breastfeeding mothers. According to a study, mothers who breastfeed and give colostrum to their babies have a lower risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and type 2 diabetes.
Try to give colostrum to the baby immediately after delivery. If you find it difficult to produce colostrum and breast milk, don't hesitate to consult a lactation consultant or obstetrician.