Baby's First Breastmilk | Healthy Families BC

Baby's First Breastmilk - Colostrum

August 13, 2013 by HealthyFamilies BC

mom breastfeeding new baby, dad at bedside

Colostrum, often called 'liquid gold', is your baby's first milk.

Your breasts make colostrum from about the middle of your pregnancy until your baby's a few days old.

You may notice colostrum leaking from your breasts during pregnancy. This is normal.

This special first milk comes in small amounts - perfect for your baby's tiny tummy. Colostrum is concentrated and rich in nutrients that are good for your baby. It also contains high levels of antibodies and key ingredients to help protect your baby from infections. Colostrum also helps your baby pass meconium (baby’s first poop). It also helps to coat the gut (digestive tract), making it less vulnerable to any harmful bugs. If mothers decide not to breastfeed, their babies benefit from even a few feedings of colostrum.

Building and maintaining your milk supply

Watch a video on latching your baby. When your baby is born, breast feed often. Feed on demand, which means whenever your baby wants to eat. Newborns need to breast-feed eight to 12 times in a 24-hour period.

Resources & Links:
HealthLink BC: Breastfeeding
HealthLink BC: Breastfeeding and your Milk Supply

VIDEO: Admission to Postpartum - Keeping Your Baby Skin-to-Skin
VIDEO: Baby's Feeding Cues and Behaviours
VIDEO: Breastfeeding Positions
VIDEO: Cup Feeding and Other Feeding Methods
VIDEO: Hand Expressing Milk
VIDEO: Latching Your Baby

Previous Next

Babies' Social and Emotional Development from 9-12 Months

By the age of nine to 12 months, your baby has developed a distinct personality and can demonstrate many emotions. Here's what you can expect.

Making Sure Your Will Includes Your Baby

Having a will in place is a key undertaking, particularly once you become a new parent.

Water Safety for Toddlers

Playing in and around water is fun and soothing for toddlers. But they need very close supervision to keep them safe.

Breastfeeding and Its Relationship to Culture

In cultures where breastfeeding is common, women don't worry about it the way many Canadians do.

Getting Enough Iron After Pregnancy

Iron is important for the health of new moms, especially if you're breastfeeding.

Advice When Considering a Midwife or Doctor

One of the key decisions to make in choosing a healthcare provider is whether to use a doctor or a midwife for your pregnancy. In BC, the healthcare system will pay for either - but not both.

Myths and Facts About Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is common. Here are some myths and facts about this common condition that many new mothers will face.

Teens and Family Relationships

Teenagers need love and support from parents at a time when lots of other things in their lives are changing. You can keep your relationship with your teenage child strong through ordinary, everyday activities.

Teen Privacy and Trust

The desire for more privacy is a natural part of adolescence. At the same time, teenagers still need your support to make good decisions. Trust is the key to finding a balance between your child’s need for privacy and your need to know what’s going on.

Babies' Development During the Second Trimester

The second trimester is a time of rapid growth for your baby (called a fetus). Most of the brain’s development begins now and will continue after your baby’s birth.

Eating Well With Canada's Food Guide for new Moms

Sometimes, it's challenging to make healthy choices about what to eat - or what not to eat - after you've had a baby.

All About Supplementing

Making the decision to supplement is an important one - sometimes it’s medically necessary.

Dental Care for Preschoolers

Healthy teeth and gums are vital to your child’s general health. You can get your child off to a great start by cleaning her teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

Screen Time and Obstacles to Physical Activity

Helping your child stay healthy by keeping them physically active and spending less time in front of screens is a fabulous decision. Here are some ideas to help you both succeed.

Encouraging Good Behaviour

Try these tips to encourage the behaviour you want in your child.

Manage Your Email Subscriptions:

Get the latest on your favourite healthy living topics sent directly to your inbox. Subscribe to our HealthyFamilies BC newsletter where you will receive up-to-date information on healthy living. Interested in receiving information on a specific topic? Click on the topic(s) in the list below that interest you. You may change your subscription preferences at any time.

General Newsletter

Want to increase your food skills? Receive information, tips and tools to learn how to choose and enjoy nutritious foods.

Positive changes can be made at any age. Receive information about lifestyle supports including those around alcohol and tobacco.

Getting started or staying active? Receive tips, tools and guidelines so you can learn how to fit physical activity into your daily life.

As your child grows you will have questions along the way. Receive information you can trust from pregnancy and the early years.

: testing newsletter

Healthy Families BC

Baby's First Breastmilk - Colostrum

Building and maintaining your milk supply

Topic

HealthyFamilies BC Tools

Breastfeeding Buddy

Sodium Sense

Shopping Sense

Sugary Drink Sense

Manage Your Email Subscriptions:

Search Google Appliance

You are here

Baby's First Breastmilk - Colostrum

Building and maintaining your milk supply

Related

Topic

HealthyFamilies BC Tools

Breastfeeding Buddy

Sodium Sense

Shopping Sense

Sugary Drink Sense

Manage Your Email Subscriptions: