Colostrum: The Powerful First Milk
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You may have heard breast milk referred to as liquid gold. Colostrum, the first milk your body makes for your baby, truly fits that description.
This magical milk has so many beneficial properties for your newborn. For instance, research shows that colostrum is packed with immune-boosting components that seed your baby’s gut with good bacteria.
Colostrum is usually thick and yellowish—although clear, white and even greenish tints can also be normal. It’s produced during pregnancy and the first 2 to 5 days postpartum. For these first days, until your mature breast milk comes in, colostrum is all your baby needs. Newborn stomachs are quite small, so although it may seem like they aren’t eating much, colostrum is definitely filling that tiny tummy with top-notch nutrition.
You may have seen some colostrum during your pregnancy, either dried on your nipples or leaking out a bit. This is normal and a good sign that your body is getting ready to produce milk. If you don’t see any colostrum during pregnancy, don't worry. It doesn’t mean you won’t have a good milk supply for your baby.
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This message is not intended to provide individual medical advice. Always seek the advice of a physician or qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have about your health or medical condition, your breastfeeding issues and your infant's health. Never disregard, avoid or delay contacting a doctor or other qualified professional because of something you have read in our emails, webpages or other electronic communications.
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