01/26/2026
💛 Colostrum is the first milk your body makes (starting around 16 weeks of pregnancy) and it makes the perfect first food for your baby! Here’s what it’s made of:
• antibodies - Coat and protect baby’s gut, helping prevent infections from bacteria, viruses, and allergens
• leukocytes (white blood cells) - actively fight infections and train the immune system
• lactoferrin - binds iron so harmful bacteria can’t use it to grow
• lysozyme - breaks down harmful bacteria by destroying their cell walls
• growth factors - help mature and heal the baby’s gut lining
• cytokines - support immune system development and reduce inflammation
• Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) - feed beneficial gut bacteria and block pathogens from attaching to baby’s intestinal lining
• Proteins - provide essential building blocks for growth and immune function
• fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, & K - support vision, immune health, brain development, and blood clotting. Vitamin A is what gives colostrum its golden color!
• minerals - support immune function, fluid balance, nerve signaling, and enzyme activity
• carbohydrates - easy to digest and provide energy
• probiotics - help seed the baby’s gut microbiome
• anti-inflammatory compounds - calm inflammation and protect against tissue damage
• digestive enzymes - help babies digest fats and carbs more efficiently
💛 It’s just really really super cool! Even if you don’t plan to breastfeed, you can still express colostrum for your baby!
💛 Learn about colostrum (and so much more!) in our Breastfeeding: Getting a Great Start class on January 31st! Register on our site 🫶
