One of the first gifts a newborn can be given is early initiation of breastfeeding. This simply implies, putting the newborn to suckle immediately after being cleaned proceeding delivery.
Never separate a mother from her newborn baby for the first periods after birth.
WHAT IS COLOSTRUM?
Colostrum is a yellowish to orange coloured
sticky and thick breast milk produced during pregnancy and early days after
birth.
PERIODS OF PRODUCTION
The breast of a woman starts to produce
colostrum during the later parts of the third trimester of her pregnancy. The
peak of the concentrated production of colostrum occurs immediately after
delivery with the following three to four days recording reduced concentrations.
The breast of a woman produces arguably the most
concentrated colostrum in terms of helpful materials during the first few hours
after birth.
It is therefore, recommended a newborn is put to breast immediately after birth. The newborn will in the process enjoy the warmth and touch of his/her mother, which is essential for optimum development.
BENEFITS OF COLOSTRUM TO THE BABY
Track load
of nutrients: A newborn needs
immediate supply of nutrients to kick-start a healthy-life out of the comfort
of the womb. Colostrum is low in fat but high in carbohydrates and proteins.
This is a perfect nutritious first food for a newborn. Colostrum is a
well-balanced food for a newborn and when taking, greatly enhances his/her
nutritional status.
Low in fat; it helps prevent digestive problems. High in carbohydrates and proteins; it promotes optimum energy-supply as well as growth respectively.
Immune-functions: Colostrum
is able to provide a newborn with what can be referred to as
“first-immunization”. This promotes the healthy development of the newborn.
Comparatively, colostrum contains by a far measure, more immune-materials to
matured white milk.
»» Living cells:
Your colostrum contains large amounts of healthy living cells which provide
immunity against many harmful agents that can disrupt the optimum development
of your baby.
»» Antibodies: According to Le
Leche League International “colostrum actually works as a natural and 100%
safe vaccine”. It is evidentially tagged to contain an antibody called Secretory
Immunoglobulin A (denoted as IgA) in high measured quantities.
This antibody is not made available to the newborn during his/her stay in the
womb. It provides, if you like grade A protection to the newborn baby in
internal places that are highly vulnerable to germ attack, which includes
membranous mucous like the lungs, throat, intestines and the stomach.
»» Gastro-intestinal
tract protection: The internal
organs/parts (especially the stomach and intestines) of a newborn baby are
soft/permeable or in other words extremely delicate. This is where colostrum
steps in and claims the title of providing adequate and much-needed protection
to the gastrointestinal tract of a newborn baby. Le Leche League International writes that “colostrum seals the
holes by "painting" the gastrointestinal tract with a barrier which
mostly prevents foreign substances from penetrating and possibly sensitizing a
baby to foods the mother has eaten”.
»» Leukocytes: are white protective-cells which plays-out the
function of destroying disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Colostrum contains
high concentrations of these protective-cells and thus enhances the “security-profile”
of a newborn baby.
Digestibility: The
make-up of colostrum makes it extremely easy to digest thus, preventing
digestive problems.
Meconium excretion: The evacuant/laxative effect of colostrum
stimulates the excretion of the dark-green early/first stool of a newborn baby
called meconium. The colour is attributable to the excretion of excess
bilirubin (a waste-product of dead red
blood cells, which is produced in large quantities at birth due to blood volume
reduction, from the infant's body) thus helps prevent jaundice.
Volume: The stomach of a newborn baby is small and should not be stressed under any circumstance. Colostrum compared to mature milk is low in volume but highly concentrated in nutrients. The small volume should not bother a mother into thinking her child will not be satisfied. The small nature of a newborn’s stomach will cause him/her to “spit-out” any excess food.
BENEFITS OF COLOSTRUM TO A MOTHER
Womb repair:
when a newborn baby is put to
breast immediately after birth, the mother’s pituitary glands releases the
hormone oxytocin. This hormone triggers uterus/womb-contractions. The
contractions of the womb helps prevent/stop hemorrhage (bleeding) and
ultimately aids in a quicker return of the womb to its original state.
Natural
birth Control: Early
initiation of breastfeeding (which supply colostrum) greatly plays a part in
delaying the return of the menstrual cycle of a mother. This is called Lactional Amenorrhea Method (LAM) and is a natural way of preventing bad-spaced
pregnancies.
Breast milk production: Oxytocin-release
as a result of frequent breastfeeding during the first days after birth also triggers
what is called “let-down”. The suckling of a newborn causes you to begin
producing whiter and thinner mature milk by the third or fourth day after
delivery. Breastfeeding your newborn at least 8-12 times each 24 hours is
extremely important in the first few days after delivery. This prevents painful
breast engorgement while ensuring your baby gets all the benefits of colostrum.
CONCLUSION
Simply, the final recommendation is to allow
your baby enjoy all the healthy benefits colostrum provides. How do you do
this?, initiate early breastfeeding and continue with exclusive
breastfeeding. Never take
colostrum to be dirt but the healthiest food a newborn can be given.
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This article was reviewed on Friday, 29th July, 2016 By Nu. Sallah Stanley Kwesi (Nutritionist at Nutritional Talk)
This article was reviewed on Friday, 29th July, 2016 By Nu. Sallah Stanley Kwesi (Nutritionist at Nutritional Talk)
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