You may have heard breast milk referred to as liquid gold. Colostrum, the first milk your body makes for your baby, truly fits that description.

This magical milk has so many beneficial properties for your newborn. For instance, research shows that colostrum is packed with immune-boosting components that seed your baby’s gut with good bacteria. 

Colostrum is usually thick and yellowish—although clear, white and even greenish tints can also be normal. It’s produced during pregnancy and the first 2 to 5 days postpartum. For these first days, until your mature breast milk comes in, colostrum is all your baby needs. Newborn stomachs are quite small, so although it may seem like they aren’t eating much, colostrum is definitely filling that tiny tummy with top-notch nutrition. 

You may have seen some colostrum during your pregnancy, either dried on your nipples or leaking out a bit. This is normal and a good sign that your body is getting ready to produce milk. If you don’t see any colostrum during pregnancy, don't worry. It doesn’t mean you won’t have a good milk supply for your baby.

See also ...

•  Why colostrum is so important for your baby

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