Mother milk is
also called as Colostrum in medical terminology. Colostrum (known
colloquially as beestings, bisnings or first milk) is a
form of milk produced by the mammary glands of mammals (including humans) in
late pregnancy. It is very important to infants. It increases immunity power
and helps to healthy growth of child. So at-least for 6 months infants should
have mother milk (colostrum). This will help infants from infections,
allergies, sudden death, etc. Now recent studies proved that colostrum helps to
prevent blood cancer (leukemia ). Colostrum contains antibodies to protect the
newborn against disease. In general, protein concentration in colostrum is
substantially higher than in milk. Fat concentration is substantially higher in
colostrum than in milk in some species, e.g. sheep and horses, but lower in
colostrum than in milk in some other species, e.g. camels and
humans.Colostrum has an especially important role to play in the baby's
gastrointestinal tract. A newborn's intestines are very permeable. Colostrum
seals the holes by "painting" the gastrointestinal tract with a
barrier which mostly prevents foreign substances from penetrating and possibly
sensitizing a baby to foods the mother has eaten. Colostrum also contains high
concentrations of leukocytes, protective white cells which can destroy
disease-causing bacteria and viruses.
The colostrum
gradually changes to mature milk during the first two weeks after birth. During
this transition, the concentrations of the antibodies in your milk decrease,
but your milk volume greatly increases. The disease-fighting properties of
human milk do not disappear with the colostrum. In fact, as long as your baby
receives your milk, he will receive immunological protection against many
different viruses and bacteria. So it is advised to have your child colostrum
at-least for six months.
