Colostrum- Your baby's first immunization

Colostrum is the essential first milk produced for the newborn. Colostrum is three times richer in vitamin A and ten times richer in beta-carotene (an active precursor form of vitamin A responsible for the yellow color of colostrum) than mature milk. It is especially rich in IgA, which coats the lining of babies' immature intestines, preventing germs from leaking through, just at the time when the newborn is first exposed to the outside world and needs protection from germs and foreign substances entering his body. Colostrum also contains higher amounts of white blood cells and infection-fighting substances than mature milk. Because of it's high levels of vitamin A, antibodies, and other protective factors, colostrum is considered the baby's first immunization. It also contains antibodies that protect the baby from respiratory and intestinal infections, particularly pneumonia, middle ear infections, and gastroenteritis (inflammation of the lining membrane of the stomach and the intestines). Colostrum contains concentrated nutrients which the infant needs after labor. Until the infant has received colostrum, no other substance should be introduced into the baby's digestive system. The combination of these concentrated nutrients, healthy bacteria, and immune factors give the baby the healthiest possible start in life. Formula contains none of these factors. In fact, giving formula before colostrum has been ingested can cause serious digestive problems in the infant, some of which may not be diagnosed until much later in life. Although colostrum is secreted in small quantities (30-90ml), it is sufficient to meet the caloric needs of a normal newborn in the first few days of life. Without the antibodies in mother's milk, a baby's immature immune system has a very hard time dealing with disease.