Introduction
Colostrumwhat is its function for the well-being of the child? What nutrients does it provide? How long does it last? Here are some indispensable questions in the daily lives of expectant and new mothers.
To answer these very important questions, I created the content that you can see below. As always, to make it easier to use, I have also created an index. By clicking on the titles of the individual paragraphs, you can delve deeper into the topics that interest you most.
Now all that remains is to wish you good reading and invite you, should you have any doubts or questions, to visit me on my profile Instagram.
What is colostrum?
As Dr. Maria Chiara Alvisi, obstetrician, reminds us in this video, colostrum is a particularly dense liquid. Referred to by many scholars as 'golden liquid'is already present in the breast at the beginning of pregnancy. If, for example, during the third trimester one tries to squeeze the breast, an operation that it is useful to know how to do in lactation, one may notice a few drops of colostrum coming out. On the subject of breast squeezing, I invite you to view the dedicated video on my YouTube channel, a short and comprehensive tutorial, also by the fantastic Maria Chiara.
To realise how valuable colostrum is, just remember that a single drop contains more than a million antibody cells. Very rich in vitamins, is characterised by the presence of components that trigger intestinal peristalsis, allowing the puppy to let go of all waste substances in its small body. We are talking about theexpulsion of the first faecesi, scientifically known as mecome. In what is a crucial moment in the very first moments of a newborn baby's life, the expulsion of excess bilirubin synthesised after birth also takes place.
Many new mothers worry when they realise that the quantity of colostrum is really meagre. There is no problem! Again, nature is wise and knows perfectly well what the baby needs. As its stomach is small, there is no need for a large amount of nourishment.
The situation just mentioned explains the physiological weight loss on the first day after birth. In the following days, the baby will find in the colostrum everything it needs to feed itself. In the days following birth, the colostrum turns into milk and subsequently into mature milk.
Returning to the very first periods after childbirth, remember that the stomach begins to expand by an unnecessary mechanical process during gestation, during which all nutrients arrive through the umbilical cord.
By virtue of the above, the survival mechanism sees the role of the very few drops of colostrumliquid in which, as specified at the beginning of the article, an unparalleled amount of nutrients is concentrated.
What does colostrum contain?
Unmistakable with its yellowish-white colourthe colostrum has a special feature, to say the least: over time, its composition has remained unchanged. This means that the nutritional requirements of the first four to five days of life have been preserved over the millennia. The specific content of individual substances, however, can change based on aspects such as the health of the new mother.
Having said that, we can get to the heart of the information about its composition. Colostrum is characterised by a significant amount of proteinsmineral salts and vitamins. As far as protein is concerned, compared to so-called mature milk, we can find a relatively low amount of casein. The same can be said for lactose. What makes the colostrum however, is the richness in antibodies, e.g. immunoglobulins. Also not to be overlooked is the presence of enzymes and growth factors.
Looking specifically at the role of immunoglobulinswe point out their importance in protecting the baby from potential infections against which its immune system is not yet sufficiently trained.
Lhe importance of colostrum certainly doesn't end there! In fact, the golden liquid also prevents unnecessary immune responses. In short, it ensures, from the very first days of a puppy's life, an overall balance of the immune system.
Various scientific evidences have emphasised the ability of the colostrum to favour the reduced risk of gastroenteritis outbreaks. The same can be said for the attack by pathogenic intestinal bacteria such as theEscherichia coli and the Clostridium difficile.
How to facilitate its exit
There are many questions concerning the colostrum. One of the most frequent concerns the right way to get the baby out. The answer is very simple: you must attach the baby to the breast as much as you can. The baby's sucking reflex favours the release of colostrum. For the sake of accuracy, let us point out that the process just mentioned may not occur automatically in the immediate 24 hours postpartum due to the density of the colostrum and the consequent difficulties in its exit from the mammary ducts.
The mechanical stimulus of sucking is not only valuable for the release of colostrum, but also for the realisation of the milk supply.
How long does it last
The colostrum continues until it becomes transitional milk and then mature milk. New mothers may realise that what comes out of their breasts is a yellowish compound, which then becomes light yellow mixed with white. At the moment when the milk flow occurs, it becomes pure white.
The timing of this transformation depends on various factors. Which ones? How the birth went and the baby in front of you. If the baby tends to stimulate the breast a lot, the situation will be different from that with a newborn who perhaps needs a little help in starting the sucking process.
One should not worry if the milk arrives a little later than one has heard from another mother. In this, as in so many other aspects of the wonderful experience that is the raising of a puppy, each situation is unique. The new mother must stay calm and think that, with the colostrum, the baby has everything it needs to feed itself effectively and completely during its first days outside the belly.
I conclude by pointing out that, on average, mothers who have given birth prematurely see the colostrum last for a longer time. How come? Because, with this ingenious stratagem, nature ensures optimal development for their pups. For let us not forget that colostrum, thanks to its growth factors, is crucial for the maturation of the baby's organs and apparatuses.
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