As a lactation educator and counselor, a frequent question I get from women interested in breastfeeding and passing on these wonders to their newborn is “How long should I breastfeed?” The question arises from the concern that they won’t do it long enough for their baby to experience the benefits. But a piece of encouragement mamas should know about is that even if you breastfeed for only a few days, you’ve given your baby an amazing start to life thanks to a magical, often misunderstood substance called colostrum. Colostrum ranges from a clear to a yellow hue and is packed full of immunoglobulins to help boost a newborn’s immature immune system, fight off microorganisms, and provide nourishing fats as well as other nutrients specifically tailored to that newborn. As research continues to come out and reveal the unique properties of breast milk, trends are pushing adult athletes, health enthusiasts, and beauty mavens to seek out colostrum—of the bovine kind, that is—for themselves. Some claim that colostrum powder, often sourced from cows or goats, provides immunity, boosts energy levels, and promotes growth. If this piques your interest and you’re wondering whether you should spend the money to try out this new trend, read on. Bovine antibodies present in colostrum powder, on the other hand, are shaped by that cow’s environment. These may or may not be effective for humans. Adults, on the other hand, have fully formed gut linings that produce enzymes that may break down some of colostrum’s key properties. As you may have gathered, colostrum derived from a mother’s milk is quite magical at protecting newborns and setting a strong foundation for a healthy life. At first glance, it may appear as if adults can reap these same benefits by simply consuming colostrum powder through supplements, but current science suggests that it’s not that simple. The wonders of colostrum are uniquely designed for the first fragile days of a newborn’s life, and adults may find that other supplements provide more lucrative results for their investment. Check out some incredible benefits of colostrum for newborns here.
