Colostrum For Newborns: How Much Do They Need?

Colostrum is the first milk a mother produces, usually towards the end of pregnancy or just after giving birth. It is highly nutritious and packed with antibodies, offering a range of health benefits to newborns. In the first few days after birth, a newborn's stomach is very small – about the size of a marble – so a teaspoon of colostrum is enough for a single feed. As the baby's stomach expands, the amount of colostrum produced also increases.

Colostrum is nutrient-rich and has health benefits for newborns

Colostrum is the first form of breast milk that is released by the mammary glands after giving birth. It is nutrient-rich and has many health benefits for newborns.

Colostrum is often referred to as "liquid gold" due to its rich, golden colour and valuable benefits. It is highly concentrated and nutrient-dense, even in tiny doses, so a newborn's tummy doesn't need a lot to reap its benefits. In the first few days after birth, a newborn's stomach is very small – on the first day, it can only hold about five to seven millilitres at a time, so even a teaspoon of this highly nutritious liquid is enough for a single feed.

Colostrum is rich in nutrients that protect and nourish newborns. It is made up of:

• Immunoglobulin A (an antibody)
• Lactoferrin (a protein that helps prevent infection)
• Leukocytes (white blood cells)
• Epidermal growth factor (a protein that stimulates cell growth)
• Carotenoids (an antioxidant)
• Vitamin A
• Magnesium
• Copper
• Zinc

Colostrum offers a range of health benefits in addition to its nutritional value:

Immunisation

Colostrum contains a high level of antibodies (called immunoglobulins) that protect against infections. It also has more white blood cells than regular breast milk, giving newborns extra immunity to diseases they may come into contact with after being born.

Allergy protection

The first few meals of colostrum coat a newborn's gut, protecting against germs that are swallowed and helping to prevent allergies from forming.

Helping organs develop

Colostrum is rich in 'growth factors', which help a baby's organs mature, especially the digestive system.

Laxative effect

Colostrum helps a newborn's first bowel movements, making it easier to clear the gut of meconium (a baby's first poo). This also helps reduce the chance of jaundice.

Blood sugar control

Colostrum helps a baby to achieve stable blood sugar levels. This is particularly important if the mother's blood sugar levels rose during pregnancy, as the baby may have been producing extra insulin in response, possibly causing a drop in their blood sugar after birth.

Newborns need very little colostrum as their stomachs are tiny

Newborns have tiny stomachs, so they need very little colostrum. In the first few days after birth, a newborn's stomach is about the size of a marble and can only hold about a teaspoon or two of milk. That's why newborns feed so often—every one to three hours, or eight to 12 times a day.

Colostrum is the first milk a mother produces, and it's packed with nutrients and antibodies to support a newborn's health. It's sometimes called "liquid gold" because of its importance and colour, which can range from golden yellow to clear or white. Even though newborns only consume small amounts of colostrum, it's enough to meet their nutritional and fluid needs.

The amount of colostrum a newborn needs gradually increases over the first few days. On the first day, a newborn may only need 2 to 10 mL of colostrum, but by the third or fourth day, they may need 30 to 60 mL. This increase in intake coincides with the mother's transition to producing more regular breast milk.

Because colostrum is so concentrated, a little goes a long way. It's normal to only have a small amount, but every drop has great health benefits for a newborn. Colostrum is especially important for premature or sick babies, as it can protect their stomachs and immune systems, helping them fight illness.

Colostrum is thick and golden yellow in colour

Colostrum is the first milk produced by the body, usually in the first few days after giving birth. It is thick and golden yellow in colour, though it can vary from greenish yellow to orange or brown, and even clear or white. This "liquid gold" is highly nutritious and is packed with antibodies to support your baby's health and protect them from infection and allergies.

Colostrum is a highly concentrated form of breast milk, so your baby will only need a small amount at each feed. In the first few days after birth, a newborn's stomach is very small – about the size of a marble, or the equivalent of 1 to 2 teaspoons of milk. So, a teaspoon of colostrum is enough for a single feed.

Colostrum is rich in fat, protein, and carbohydrates, providing plenty of nutrition for your baby's tiny stomach. It also contains high levels of antibodies (immunoglobulins) and white blood cells, which give your baby extra immunity to diseases they may encounter after birth.

The golden yellow colour of colostrum is due to its high concentration of nutrients and antibodies. This colour can vary depending on the mother's diet, the amount of fat in the milk, and other individual factors. The colour of colostrum is one of the indicators of its nutritional value and health benefits for the newborn.

Colostrum is often referred to as "liquid gold" because of its rich colour and the immense health benefits it provides to newborns. It is a precious substance that plays a crucial role in the early development and protection of babies.

A newborn's stomach will grow to the size of a ping pong ball by day 10

A newborn baby's stomach is tiny, and at birth, it is about the size of a shooter marble and can hold only a small amount of milk, about a spoonful. This is why newborns feed so often in their first few days of life.

Colostrum, the first milk produced by mothers, is highly nutritious and packed with antibodies to protect the newborn against infection and allergies. It also has a laxative effect, helping clear the meconium (the baby's first stool) from the gut and reducing the chances of jaundice.

On the first day, a newborn's stomach can hold about 2 to 10 ml of colostrum, or about five to seven millilitres at a time, so even a teaspoonful is enough for a single feed. By day three, a newborn's stomach is the size of a ping pong ball, and by day 10, it has grown to the size of an extra-large chicken egg.

By the third or fourth day, a newborn's stomach is ready for more regular breast milk, and the amount of milk a mother produces increases. The baby's stomach can now hold 15 to 30 ml of milk, and this amount increases to 30 to 60 ml by the fourth day.

Newborns need to breastfeed about 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, and mothers need to express milk at the same frequency to ensure an adequate supply for their babies if they are unable to feed directly from the breast.

Colostrum is sometimes called 'liquid gold'

Colostrum is the first milk a mother produces, usually towards the end of pregnancy or just after the baby is born. It is a highly concentrated form of breast milk, rich in nutrients and antibodies, and is sometimes referred to as "liquid gold" due to its importance and colour.

Colostrum is often thick and golden yellow in colour, although it can vary in consistency and shade, ranging from greenish-yellow to clear or white. This nutrient-rich liquid is extremely beneficial for newborns, especially those who are premature or sick. It is packed with fat, protein, and carbohydrates, providing essential nutrition for a newborn's tiny stomach.

The amount of colostrum a newborn needs is small, as their stomach capacity is very limited initially. On the first day, a newborn's stomach can only hold about 2 to 10 mL, or 5 to 7 mL as per some sources, which is roughly a spoonful. This is why newborns feed frequently in the first few days, about 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.

Colostrum offers a range of health benefits beyond its nutritional value. Firstly, it provides immunisation by containing high levels of antibodies and white blood cells, protecting newborns from infections and diseases. Secondly, it coats the gut, aiding digestion and helping to prevent allergies. Thirdly, it assists in the development of the baby's organs, particularly the digestive system, thanks to its rich content of growth factors. Additionally, colostrum acts as a laxative, encouraging the baby's first bowel movements and reducing the risk of jaundice. Lastly, it helps stabilise blood sugar levels, which is crucial for newborns, especially if the mother experienced high blood sugar levels during pregnancy.

The importance of colostrum for a newborn's health and development is evident, and its nickname, "liquid gold," underscores its value. It is a dense source of nutrition and a powerful tool in building a newborn's immune system and digestive health.

Frequently asked questions