Colostrum, often referred to as "liquid gold," is the first form of breast milk produced by mothers in the initial days after childbirth. This nutrient-rich substance is packed with antibodies, proteins, and immune-boosting properties, making it the perfect first food for newborns.

Unlike mature milk, colostrum is produced in small but powerful amounts, specifically designed to meet the needs of a newborn’s tiny stomach. It plays a crucial role in building immunity, supporting digestion, and ensuring early growth.

This article explores what colostrum is, how it differs from mature milk, its key nutrients and benefits, and how mothers can maximize colostrum production to give their babies the best start in life.

What Is Colostrum?

Colostrum vs. Mature Milk

Colostrum differs significantly from transitional and mature breast milk in several ways:

• Appearance and Texture: Thick and yellowish due to high levels of beta-carotene and proteins.
  
• Nutrient Density: Although produced in small amounts, colostrum is rich in antibodies, white blood cells, and essential nutrients.
  
• Digestibility: Easy for a newborn’s immature digestive system to process, helping protect the gut and promote healthy bacteria.
  After two to four days postpartum, colostrum gradually transitions into transitional milk and then into mature milk by two weeks postpartum.
  

When Is Colostrum Produced?

Mothers begin producing colostrum as early as the second trimester of pregnancy. Some may notice small leaks before birth, while others may not see it until after delivery.

Typically, colostrum is present for the first two to four days postpartum before the body starts increasing milk supply.

How Much Colostrum Does a Baby Need?

Newborns have very small stomach capacities and require only small amounts of colostrum per feeding:

• Day 1: Approximately 5–7 ml per feeding (about the size of a cherry).
• Day 3: Expands to 22–27 ml per feeding.
  

Since colostrum is produced in small amounts, frequent breastfeeding or pumping is essential to ensure the baby gets enough.

Key Nutrients in Colostrum

Antibodies and Immune Boosters

One of the most important roles of colostrum is to protect the baby’s immune system from the very start. Since newborns have underdeveloped immune systems, colostrum acts as a first line of defense against harmful pathogens.

• High levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA) – Forms a protective coating in the baby’s digestive tract, lungs, and throat, preventing bacteria and viruses from entering the bloodstream.
  
• Lactoferrin – Helps fight infections by preventing bacteria from multiplying in the gut.
  
• Cytokines and leukocytes – White blood cells that directly attack viruses and bacteria, reducing the risk of infections.
  

This immune protection is especially crucial for preterm babies, who are more vulnerable to infections.

Proteins and Growth Factors

Proteins in colostrum are higher in concentration compared to mature milk, which supports rapid development:

• Lactalbumin and casein – Easily digestible proteins that provide energy and muscle development.
  
• Growth factors (EGF, IGF-1, TGF-β) – Help in the development of tissues, particularly the intestines, which are still maturing in newborns.
  
• Lysozyme – An enzyme that actively destroys bacteria, further strengthening the baby’s immune system.
  

These proteins enhance gut function, helping the baby develop a strong digestive system early on.

Fats and Fat-Soluble Vitamins

While colostrum has lower fat content than mature milk, it is rich in essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins that support brain and eye development:

• DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) – An omega-3 fatty acid that plays a key role in brain and visual development.
  
• Vitamin A – Supports vision, immune health, and cell growth. The high level of vitamin A gives colostrum its characteristic yellow color.
  
• Vitamin E – Acts as an antioxidant, protecting the baby’s developing cells from damage.
  

Carbohydrates: Lactose and Prebiotics

Colostrum is rich in lactose, the main carbohydrate in breast milk, but it also contains prebiotics that support gut health:

• Oligosaccharides – Promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, helping establish a healthy gut microbiome.
  
• Lactose – Provides energy and supports brain development, while also aiding in calcium absorption.
  

Minerals for Growth and Development

• Zinc – Plays a role in brain function and immune responses. Colostrum has nearly four times more zinc than mature milk.
  
• Magnesium – Supports heart function, muscle growth, and bone development.
  
• Calcium and phosphorus – Strengthen bones and teeth.
  

White Blood Cells and Beneficial Bacteria

Colostrum contains live immune cells that actively help fight off infections:

• Leukocytes – Protect against viruses and bacteria in the early days of life.
  
• Beneficial bacteria – Help establish a strong digestive system, preventing colic and reducing the risk of allergies.
  

Since a baby’s gut is highly sensitive at birth, these elements reduce inflammation and help prevent digestive issues like colic, gas, and bloating.

Benefits of Colostrum for Babies

Strengthens the Immune System

Colostrum serves as a baby’s first natural vaccine by delivering antibodies and immune-boosting factors that:

• Protect against respiratory infections such as colds and flu.
  
• Reduce the risk of gastrointestinal infections, including diarrhea and stomach viruses.
  
• Lower the chances of developing allergies by supporting a balanced immune response.
  

Studies show that babies who receive colostrum are less likely to suffer from infections during infancy.

Supports Gut Health and Digestion

A newborn’s digestive system is immature and delicate at birth. Colostrum helps by:

• Coating the intestines with protective antibodies that prevent harmful bacteria from entering.
  
• Encouraging the growth of healthy gut bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which support digestion and prevent colic.
  
• Reducing inflammation in the gut, helping babies with sensitive stomachs.
  This gut protection is especially important for premature or C-section babies, who may have a higher risk of digestive issues.
  

Helps Pass Meconium and Reduces Jaundice

Meconium is a baby’s first stool, which is thick, dark, and sticky. Colostrum acts as a natural laxative, making it easier for babies to pass meconium and clear out excess bilirubin, reducing the risk of jaundice.

• Babies who receive colostrum are less likely to experience severe jaundice.
  
• The early passage of meconium prevents constipation and digestive discomfort in newborns.
  

Supports Healthy Weight Gain

• Colostrum is rich in high-quality proteins and energy-dense nutrients that help newborns gain weight steadily.
  
• Encourages strong metabolism development, reducing the risk of obesity later in life.
  

Babies who receive colostrum tend to have better weight gain patterns and are less likely to develop feeding difficulties.

Common Challenges with Colostrum Feeding and Solutions

Low Colostrum Supply

Some mothers may worry that they are not producing enough colostrum, especially if their baby seems hungry or fussy. However, it’s important to remember that newborns only need small amounts of colostrum at each feeding—about 5–7 ml per feeding on day one, increasing slightly over the next few days.

Possible Causes of Low Colostrum Supply:

• C-section delivery – Some mothers may experience a slight delay in milk production after a C-section.
  
• Hormonal imbalances – Conditions like PCOS or thyroid disorders can affect milk supply.
  
• Medical interventions during labor – IV fluids, stress, or certain medications may temporarily slow colostrum production.
  
• Insufficient breastfeeding or pumping – The more often a baby nurses or a mother expresses milk, the more signals the body gets to produce colostrum.
  

Solutions:

• Skin-to-skin contact with the baby immediately after birth encourages colostrum production.
  
• Frequent nursing sessions (every 2–3 hours) help stimulate milk production.
  
• Hand expression and pumping can help extract colostrum if the baby is unable to latch properly. A gentle breast pump like the MomMed S21 or S10 Pro can assist in expressing small amounts effectively.
  - Hydration and nutrition – Drinking plenty of water and eating nutrient-rich foods can support early milk production.
  

Latching Difficulties

A good latch ensures that the baby is getting enough colostrum. However, some newborns may struggle to latch properly, especially if they were born prematurely, have tongue-tie, or if the mother has flat or inverted nipples.

Signs of a Poor Latch:

• Clicking or smacking noises while nursing.
  
• Baby appears frustrated or pulls away frequently.
  
• Nipples feel sore, cracked, or bruised after nursing.
  

Solutions:

• Positioning techniques – The cross-cradle or football hold can help babies latch better.
  
• Seeking help from a lactation consultant can ensure the baby is latching correctly.
  
• Using nipple shields may help babies who struggle with latching due to anatomical challenges.
  
• Hand-expressing colostrum before nursing can soften the breast, making it easier for the baby to latch.
  

Baby Not Feeding Well

Some babies may be too sleepy to nurse, especially if they were born via C-section, are premature, or have jaundice. Since colostrum comes in small amounts, parents might worry that their baby isn’t getting enough.

Solutions:

• Wake the baby for feedings by gently rubbing their feet or changing their diaper.
  
• Expressing colostrum and feeding it with a syringe or spoon can help ensure the baby is getting enough nourishment.
  
• Breast compression during nursing can encourage milk flow and keep the baby actively sucking.
  
• Using an electric breast pump like MomMed S10 Pro can help express milk efficiently if the baby is too weak or sleepy to nurse effectively.
  

Engorgement and Discomfort

As the body transitions from colostrum to mature milk, some mothers experience breast engorgement, making it difficult for the baby to latch.

Solutions:

• Hand-expressing a small amount of milk before feeding can soften the breast, making latching easier.
  
• Using warm compresses before nursing and cold compresses afterward can relieve discomfort.
  
• Using an electric breast pump to relieve pressure can help manage engorgement. The MomMed S21 wearable breast pump’s gentle suction settings can help extract milk comfortably without causing pain.
  

By recognizing and addressing these challenges early on, mothers can ensure their baby receives the full benefits of colostrum, setting the stage for successful breastfeeding.

How to Store and Use Expressed Colostrum

When to Express Colostrum

Colostrum expression can be helpful in the following situations:

• Baby is premature or in the NICU – Some babies cannot nurse immediately, so expressed colostrum ensures they still receive vital nutrients.
  
• Baby has latching difficulties – Hand-expressing colostrum and feeding it with a syringe or spoon can help.
  
• Engorgement relief – Expressing a small amount before nursing can make it easier for the baby to latch.
  
• Medical conditions – Mothers with conditions like diabetes or PCOS may benefit from collecting colostrum before birth (antenatal colostrum harvesting).
  

How to Express Colostrum

Since colostrum is thick and comes in small amounts, hand expression is often the best method in the first few days. Here’s how:

• Wash hands thoroughly before expressing.
  
• Massage the breast gently to stimulate milk flow.
  
• Use fingers to gently compress the areola in a rhythmic motion.
  
• Collect colostrum in a sterile syringe or small container.
  

If hand expression is difficult, a breast pump with soft suction, like the MomMed S21 or MomMed S10 Pro, can be used on the lowest setting to extract colostrum safely.

How to Feed Expressed Colostrum to Baby

If the baby cannot nurse directly, colostrum can be fed using:

• A small spoon – Helps babies who need just a few drops.
  
• A syringe or dropper – Useful for premature or weak babies.
  
• A feeding cup – An alternative for babies struggling with bottles.
  

Since a newborn’s stomach is tiny, they only need 5–7 ml per feeding in the first 24 hours. Offer small amounts at a time and follow the baby’s hunger cues.

Conclusion

Colostrum is one of the most powerful gifts a mother can give her newborn. It provides:

• Vital immune protection
  
• Strong digestive support
  
• Essential nutrients for early growth
  

Since colostrum is produced in small but powerful amounts, frequent breastfeeding or expressing is key to ensuring the baby receives enough.

For mothers who struggle with latching or need to collect extra colostrum, MomMed electric breast pumps like the S21 wearable breast pump and S10 Pro portable breast pump can be valuable tools for gentle, efficient pumping.

If you face any challenges, consider seeking guidance from a lactation consultant. Every drop of colostrum counts, and providing this nutrient-rich first milk will benefit your baby’s health for a lifetime.