As you embrace the new and incredible journey of motherhood, facing the challenges of being a new mummy is natural. However, the joy of welcoming the arrival of the newborn knows no bounds. The excitement is just a little enhanced with “The Golden Hour.” The moment when you do not just hold the baby for the first time after nine months, you begin breastfeeding the little one for the very first time. And, not much to your surprise, the baby latches on to the breasts producing the nutrient-rich-yellow-coloured fluid called “Colostrum.”
But, is the production of “Colostrum” just a part of postpartum? No!
When Does the Production of “Colostrum” Start?
Your body changes in more than unexpected ways, during your pregnancy. Apart from the other physical changes such as swelling and weight gain; that you were facing, you must have surely noticed the breasts changing. Besides appearing tender and sore, they look engorged or big, due to the increasing number and size of the milk glands as well as the soaring pregnancy hormones.
You may be producing colostrum in very small amounts, on the 12th and 18th of your pregnancy, You may start leaking colostrum as you proceed into the second and third trimesters. The milk duct system is fully developed from the second trimester. By the time, it is time to hold the newborn in your arms, the breasts will be leaky.
Overall, colostrum production takes place from around the 16th week of pregnancy to the first few days after the baby’s birth.
Is the Production of Colostrum Helpful During Pregnancy?
Since the making of colostrum begins from the 16th week of pregnancy and continues after childbirth, several benefits come along with it. The benefits include:
- Helping in successful breastfeeding after childbirth with an improved supply of milk.
- Helping in dealing with congenital health conditions during pregnancy such as diabetes and hypertension.
- Helping in dealing with feeding problems later
If you’re leaking just a little more than expected, or there is blood with colostrum or the milk is thick, consult your healthcare provider immediately. This could be a sign of clogged milk ducts.
Why are the Breasts Leaking in Pregnancy?
Your sky-high hormones (estrogen, progesterone as well as prolactin) as prompted by the placenta during your pregnancy are responsible for the colostrum production – from being very little to just a little more.
These hormones not only help in milk production but also keep milk production in check. If prolactin levels exceed estrogen and progesterone, colostrum may leak. You can feel the leakage inside the cups of your inners. But, there’s nothing to worry about. It’s quite natural. After all, the breasts are getting ready to feed your baby.
This aside, if you feel you’re not producing milk during pregnancy, that is also fine and quite normal. (Once you have your baby, they will latch on to your breasts and get the milk naturally).
If you’re not making milk during pregnancy, that doesn’t mean you’ll express milk. Expressing colostrum before the 37th week of your pregnancy may be linked with preterm labour, bleeding during pregnancy, placental complications, etc.
How is the Production of Colostrum Helpful to You After Childbirth and to Your Newborn?
Once you give birth to your baby, the placenta detaches from the uterus, and the progesterone level drops considerably telling the breasts to produce the first milk or Colostrum. Such that, you should be able to breastfeed anytime within the first 24 hours of your childbirth.
How is the Colostrum Helpful to the New Mom?
Your body starts producing more creamy or white-coloured colostrum after you’ve given birth to your baby, and that will turn out to be helpful both for you and your little one.
After 3 to 4 days of producing colostrum, the breasts will start to feel full with milk and be firmer. This is also a sign that your milk supply is increasing and going through a stage of transition – from colostrum to mature milk.
Moreover, after your pregnancy, as you proceed with the postpartum health changes, you will feel:
- an increase in the supply of colostrum in the initial days.
- uterine contraction.
- weight loss.
- A relative decrease in postpartum bleeding (or lochia).
How is the Colostrum Helpful to the Newborn?
Healthcare experts refer colostrum to be “liquid gold” mostly because of its thick, sticky, and concentrated nature and yellow or white colour. Alternatively, it provides all essential nutrients to your newborn and keeps the baby safe from infections. How? Here’s how:
Builds Your Baby’s Immunity
Since newborns are most vulnerable to infections, colostrum provides ammunition to act as their defense against disease or infection-causing bacteria and viruses. Moreover, colostrum has white blood cells in it which produce antibodies that help the babies. Once the baby starts latching on to your breasts for the milk filled with antibodies, that can strengthen their immune system. The colostrum thus prepares your little one for a healthy life.
Improves Your Baby’s Gut Health
Since the colostrum has a low-fat content, the colostrum is easy on your baby’s tummy. It prevents their intestine from harmful infections, thus establishing a healthy gut.
A Natural Laxative
It helps the baby clear their first poop also known as meconium and reduces the baby’s chances of suffering from newborn jaundice.
Keeps the Whole Body of the Baby Regulated
Since the newborn sucks only a small amount of the breastmilk, they start breathing. As they start breathing, their lungs gradually function normally, the body temperature gets regulated, and start metabolising. In this way, your little one starts getting acclimatized to the world outside.
Promotes Baby Growth
The colostrum is rich in all the healthy nutrients, proteins, and varied vitamins present in it. Latching on to your breasts and sucking the milk helps the baby start growing up smoothly, healthily, and fast. If you’ve given birth prematurely, colostrum also helps them to grow rapidly.
Besides these, the first milk of the baby is perfect for the stomach as it helps in the digestion of the baby. It also stabilises the blood sugar of the newborn.
That said, since your newborn’s stomach is small in size, learning to suck not more than 1 to 4 teaspoons of colostrum per day is the key. Sucking and swallowing the milk in small amounts is easy for the baby.
However, with the increase in your milk supply, the newborn’s stomach size is also going to grow. So, this is the time when you start learning the breastfeeding tips.
You also feed the baby as and when they desire it.
In a year your baby will start walking. They will also be on the verge of talking. Make an invaluable contribution to those first 12 months. It will be for the rest of the baby’s life.
In all this, don’t forget your doctor’s appointment and keep a check with the lactation specialist for any special reason.