Colostrum

Colostrum - what is it and is there always enough?

Clare Byam-Cook says

This is the milk that your baby has for the first three or four days before your full milk comes in. Colostrum is rich in antibodies and is more like cream than milk, so your baby only needs a small amount at each feed – far less than he would need if he was being fed with formula milk. Most mothers do have enough colostrum to meet all their baby’s needs but some don’t and need to supplement with a bit of formula until their milk comes in.

Note: Refer to section on Breastfeeding Problems (not feeding well) before giving any formula milk.

Annabel Karmel says

Colostrum is a thick yellow fluid, which is high in proteins in the form of antibodies and will help protect your baby against infection before her immune system can start functioning properly.