Breastfeeding: What is colostrum and what are the benefits?

Colostrum is the first milk your breasts produce when you start breastfeeding - in the few days before your 'mature' breastmilk comes in - and it is full of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, nutrients and antibodies. This means your baby will get plenty of nutrition, even from the small amounts of colostrum that your baby is able to drink in a feed. It is often called liquid gold because it is a creamy yellow colour, but also because of its many health benefits.

Joanna Daniels, the breastfeeding and infant feeding engagement lead at the National Childbirth Trust, says: "Colostrum is very concentrated and full of vitamins and antibodies which help your baby grow and fight off infections. It also helps expel meconium - the black, sticky first poo that babies do."

What are the benefits of colostrum?

Colostrum fights infection and boosts the immune system

Newborns need to boost their immune system as they become exposed to the outside world. Colostrum contains white blood cells which protect a newborn against infection, while helping to fight infection¹. These cells produce antibodies, which are proteins that protect against bacteria or viruses.

Colostrum is also rich in an important antibody called IgA, which coats your baby’s gut and helps to build up the ‘good’ bacteria and protect against stomach bugs².

Colostrum helps your baby pass meconium

As well as protecting against stomach upsets, colostrum helps your newborn do their first poo, which is called meconium. This helps your baby get rid of everything they ingested while in the womb and is a good sign that they have healthy, developing bowels.

Colostrum contains vitamins and minerals

The first milk you produce when breastfeeding is full of vitamins and minerals that help your baby grow and develop. What your colostrum contains depends on the nutrients you have in your own body - this is influenced by many things, including your diet, lifestyle, health and more.

However, colostrum is known to contain vitamin A, which is important for healthy eyes, skin, cell function, and immunity. It also contains magnesium, which supports your baby’s heart and bones. Zinc, which helps brain development, is also found in colostrum, as well as vitamin B12 - which supports the brain and produces red blood cells - and vitamin K³.

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When do you start making colostrum?

You may start producing colostrum when you are pregnant and it is normal to start leaking the yellow liquid before your due date. This isn’t necessarily a sign that you are about to go into labour.

Some women don’t experience any leaking in pregnancy, but this doesn’t mean you aren’t producing any colostrum - it may appear after your baby is born. Your body will produce colostrum until your mature breast milk comes in, which can take up to four days after the birth.

Expressing colostrum

Some mums may choose to express colostrum before giving birth, so they have more to give their baby. Whether you choose to do this is entirely up to you. However, you should speak to your midwife or doctor first because you may be advised to avoid it if you are at risk of premature birth or if you are pregnant with twins.

You can also express colostrum to give to your baby if you’re formula feeding. You can start hand expressing for a few minutes once a day when you are 36 to 37 weeks pregnant.

It can be done by hand and collected in sterile containers or syringes which you can buy online. Your midwife can show you how to do it. You shouldn’t use a breast pump until after you’ve given birth.

Label the syringe or container with your name and the date and time you expressed the colostrum. Put the syringe or container in a clean re-sealable bag and place it in your freezer until you need it.

How much colostrum do babies need?

Because colostrum is so thick and concentrated, newborns only need a tiny amount. “Babies only need about a teaspoonful (5ml) at each feed,” says Daniels. “To begin with babies might want to feed often, but may begin to have fewer, longer feeds after a few days once your breasts start to produce more mature milk.”

The more you breastfeed, the more your baby's sucking will stimulate your supply and the more milk you'll make.

If you are struggling with breastfeeding in any way, it’s important to speak to your midwife, your health visitor or your GP. The most important thing is that your baby is feeding and gaining weight, whether you are breastfeeding or formula feeding.

Further reading

1. Hassiotou et al: Maternal and infant infections stimulate a rapid leukocyte response in breastmilk.

2. Donald et al: Secretory IgA: Linking microbes, maternal health, and infant health through human milk.

3. De Vries et al: Maternal circulating vitamin status and colostrum vitamin composition in healthy lactating women - A systematic approach.