Don't understand colustrum

Hollie - posted on 07/06/2012

Well I breastfeed for 1 year! She will still sick, but I think overall it was a good thing! She got all the nutrients she needed, much better than formula. They will lose weight at first, but when your milk comes in you will know! What I use to do just to maintain milk capacity is sit in the bath with a hot washcloth and try to shoot a targets to make more milk for her. Hope that helps!

Jessica - posted on 10/03/2009

They're supposed to lose a little weight. It's not because they're starving or anything. The stomach of a newborn is TINY. It takes very little to fill that belly. Colostrum is still breast milk. Just very thick, rick, power packed with nutrients milk. It's specifically designed for a newborn til they're ready for the next milk. Your body and baby are one. It'll come in when it's time and what it makes til then will be all that's needed. Trust it. The best thing to do is give baby all the colostrum s/he can get and let him/her nurse on demand to stimulate production that brings in the milk.

Carla - posted on 10/03/2009

Yeah, my little man lost 10.4% which is more than they like because my milk didnt come in until day 5 BUT he is 17 weeks now and weighs 18lbs 2oz so it hasnt done him any harm, lol. Like some others have said, even formula fed babies lose weight to begin with, its normal. The colostrum is like very concentrated breastmilk, the best thing in the world you can give your baby, it helps clear the mecconium out of their system quickly and provides them with lots of antibodies to keep them healthy.

Jessica - posted on 10/03/2009

Everyone answered it already! I hope you have a smooth labor!! Good Luck!! The key is to not give up!!!
(Formula fed babies lose weight just the same. It's normal. But the formula babies don't get the anti-bodies & the great nutrition of the colostrum!)

Brynne - posted on 10/02/2009

Take into consideration to that a newborn's stomach is the size of like a marble, so they need very very little to feel full at the beginning. The baby will also sleep practically constantly in the very beginning and you frequently have to wake them up to feed them. Both of my babes got all they wanted and never acted like they were starving before my milk came in. But nurse every chance you get in order to stimulate your milk production. Don't give a bottle!!!!! Be patient and your baby will be happily nursing at a week old before you know it!

Mary-Ann - posted on 10/02/2009

All new born babies lose weight during the first few days of life, it is normal. The colustrum helps the baby with immunity, helps to build the babies immune system so that it can fight diseases, thats what the colustrum does. So the baby needs it.

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 10/02/2009

I think the other mom answered your question. But I wanted to add that like they said babies WILL lose weight after birth. My daughter lost 10%. We had to go to the pediatrician's office twice after we brought her home to monitor her weight. The first day home she lost a little bit more, but I felt my milk come in that night. We went back the next day and she gained 4 oz overnight. So don't freak out if your baby loses weight and don't feel like your not producing enough, they are supposed to lose weight. I believe most doctors want your baby to be back at their birth weight by two weeks. Trust your body! When baby is hungry feed him/her. Talk to the lactation consultant at your hospital. She should be able to help you even after you've left the hospital. Good luck!

Allison - posted on 10/02/2009

Yes, colustrum is VERY GOOD for your baby. It gives your baby all kinds of antibodies passed from you that will protect them from infection and so on. Your milk will take anywhere from 2-7 days to come in. Don't worry your baby is not going to starve to death. All babies lose a little bit of weight after they are born and that is very normal. Your baby still gets plenty to eat from the colustrum.

Laura - posted on 10/02/2009

Colostrum is the first milk that is available after the birth and it is incredibly high in nutrients-like 100 calories per teaspoon or something, not to mention lots of other good stuff like antibodies to help develop the baby's immune system. Your baby's stomach is really tiny at first (like the size of a grape), and he can only eat small amounts until it gets bigger. So colostrum is the IDEAL food for the first few days since it is so nutrient dense and his tummy is still so small. The key is to just keep feeding him often (at least 8 times in 24 hrs) until your milk comes in, and then just as often afterwards to keep your supply going. Breastfeeding is a supply and demand thing-your body will produce as much as your baby demands so you shouldn't have to worry if he is getting enough-as long as he has enough wet (1 per day for each day old the baby is until your milk is flowing well, and then about 6 after that) and dirty diapers (at least 1 per day, and then 3 or more once your milk is in) and is gaining weight again within about a week after birth. Good luck and don't give up! It's totally worth it!

Minnie - posted on 10/02/2009

Babies can lose weight after birth- most do- but it's a normal occurance, one that babies are prepared for. Until your mature milk comes in colostrum is indeed all baby needs. Baby takes it in small amounts, it's packed with protein and antibodies.

Consider this: we are mammals. We nourish and comfort our infants at our breast. Why would this perfect system be dangerous or inadequate for the survival of our young? Would mammals as an entire class of animals have been so successful on this planet if breastfeeding truly failed at the rates it appears to in western culture? I think not.

Trust your body- that you can nourish and sustain your child.

Karissa - posted on 10/02/2009

Its pretty simple...its just the nutrients that your body supplies specifically for your infant which key in all different factors. If you choose to nurse, your body knows your unborn child and what he/she knows, so your body will produce exactly what he/she needs. The "liquid gold" before your milk comes in is just what your infant needs.

Just a fun fact... if you are sick and around your newborn, your breast milk will carry antibodies to help fight off the virus in case your newborn catches your cold.

Jamie - posted on 10/02/2009

My baby is four days old and I am just starting to get the milk in. He lost 4oz which is very normal but soon he should start gaining weight. The colostrum is very nutritious and helps to protect them. This will explain more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colostrum