Colostrum Benefits and Administration

Human colostrum is a vital first food tailored to assist the newborn’s transition to extrauterine life. During gestation, humans receive nutrients, immunological agents and growth factors from both the placenta and amniotic fluid. After birth, newborns must orally ingest what they need to survive. From colostrum’s typically small volumes to its unique composition, colostrum nurtures and protects human infants until they are ready and able to consume larger volumes of mothers’ milk.

Discussed are three articles representative of important themes in the science of colostrum. The overall theme in this edition related to colostrum is: the few days of colostrum production are a brief, but fascinating, period of time in which mothers produce their most densely concentrated milk. Through an understanding of research and clinical evidence, health professionals can ensure that infants receive the full benefits that colostrum confers.