What it is
Colostrum is the first milk. People call it 'liquid gold' because it is yellow, thick, and full of antibodies. If it is day two, your milk is not in yet, and you are asking whether the baby is getting enough, this is the stage you are in.
Your body starts making colostrum in mid-pregnancy. It is there at birth, in small amounts, on purpose. A newborn's stomach on day one holds about a teaspoon. Small, frequent feeds match that tiny size.
Colostrum also works as a laxative. It helps the baby pass meconium, the black first poop. Passing it early lowers the risk of jaundice.
What's typical
Day one, a baby takes about a teaspoon per feed. By day three, closer to an ounce. Many babies feed 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. Some sleep a lot after the work of birth. Night two is often the hardest night. The baby wakes up and feeds nearly nonstop. Nurses call it 'second night' and it is normal. Expect one wet diaper on day one, two on day two, three on day three. Babies lose weight in the first days. Up to 7 percent is typical. Milk usually comes in between day two and day five.
What's known
The AAP and WHO describe colostrum as the ideal first food. Both say most healthy term babies need nothing else before milk comes in. The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine lists the medical reasons to add a top-up, like low blood sugar or weight loss over 8 to 10 percent. Many traditions treasure colostrum. A few older customs discarded it. The evidence now sides firmly with giving it.
What helps
- Feed whenever the baby roots, at least 8 times in 24 hours. Wake a sleepy baby after three hours during the day.
- Hand express after a feed. A few drops on a spoon can go straight to the baby.
- Skin-to-skin, as much as you can. It keeps the baby warm and close to the breast.
- Keep a diaper tally on paper or your phone.
- Ask the nurse to check the latch at every feed in the hospital. That is what they are there for.
When to call someone
- Nowthe baby is limp, hard to wake, has blue lips, or has a temperature of 100.4 or higher.
- Todayno wet diaper in 24 hours, no poop by day three, or the baby's skin or eyes look yellow.
- Todaythe baby will not latch at all for more than six hours, or weight loss is over 7 percent.
- At your next visityou felt pushed to supplement and want to talk through what happened.
Who helps
Tools: Feeding Prep · Birthworker Directory
Related
- When your milk comes inFeeding Your Baby
- Hand expression and collecting colostrum before birthFeeding Your Baby
- Is my baby getting enough?Feeding Your Baby
- Newborn weight: the early drop and regainingBaby Basics
- Newborn jaundiceBaby Basics
- The first 24 hoursBirth and the First Days
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Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics — Policy statement: breastfeeding and the use of human milk
- Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine — Clinical protocol 3: supplementary feedings in the healthy term breastfed neonate
- World Health Organization — Breastfeeding recommendations and early initiation guidance
- La Leche League International — Colostrum: your baby's first meal
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