2 of 7

Write now Article Tools

The best food for human babies is breast milk and the best part of breast milk is colostrum.
It is the initial breast milk and is a magic elixir of health and protection for the newborn infant. It meets the specific needs of human babies better than any substitute.Eighty percent of colostrum is made up of cells that kill bacteria and viruses.Maternal antibodies are thus passed to the child via the colostrum.

It is high in beneficial proteins and low in fat.Newborns have a small digestive system and do not process fat well.Colostrum has concentrated nutrients and has a mild laxative effect. This helps the baby produce its first stool which is called meconium. It is a dark and sterile combination of the things ingested before birth.

Colostrum is sterile and is not contaminated by dirty bottles or water.The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be breast fed for the first six to twelve months because of all the benefits to both mother and child.The breast fed child has fewer ear infections,allergies,rashes,di arrhea and hospital stays. Studies show that breast fed babies are just all around healthier babies.This is due in part to amazing colostrum.For this reason the Food and Drug Administration recommends that new mothers start out breast feeding. Even if it is only done for a short time there are long lasting benefits to be gained.

The initial immunities transferred in the first milk protect the child and insure a good start.There are fewer SUID cases among these children and they survive better in the third world countries.The trend in the US has fluctuated over the years concerning breast feeding.
It has gone in and out of popularity.As women took to the work force in the forties,bottle feeding freed the mother to be away from the baby and do her secular job.Career women were less likely to breast feed their babies.Now that it is back in vogue due to new understanding of the health benefits,more women try to start their babies off this way. However most fail at a long term effort.

A study done in 1993 showed that 56 percent of American mothers started out nursing their babies.Only 19 percent lasted 6 months.Government agencies are trying to raise these numbers through education and dissemination of information.Why? Because besides the health reasons
it will save our society a lot of money.Health care costs are higher for bottle fed babies.
More breast fed babies equal fewer sick and hospitalized babies. It is that simple .

Teaching mothers about colostrum could inspire them to try breast feeding and that would be good for everyone.

Learn more about this author, Johnette Loefgren.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about The benefits of colostrum?
We want to hear your view. Write now!