Colostrum Benefits for Babies: Tiny Tummies, Mighty Gains!

Colostrum is called “liquid gold” for all the goodness it holds for your newborn. When a baby is born, his first meal isn’t just simple breast milk. It’s colostrum, a concentrated, nutrient-dense liquid that lays the foundation for a strong immune system and healthy growth for your baby.

Colostrum is yellow or orange in color. Antibodies, growth factors, and essential nutrients protect newborns from infections while helping to strengthen their tiny digestive systems, and are present abundantly in colostrum.

But is colostrum for newborns only? While naturally produced in the first few days after birth, colostrum benefits for the baby don’t stop there. Many parents wonder, “Can you give colostrum to older babies?” The answer is yes! You can very much give colostrum in other forms to your older kids. 

Research suggests that colostrum, especially bovine colostrum supplements, may support older babies, toddlers, and children by boosting their immunity, improving gut health, and promoting overall development.

In this guide, we’ll explore the incredible benefits of colostrum for babies and older kids, including how it supports immunity, digestion, and long-term health. We’ll also help you understand whether bovine colostrum can be a valuable addition to your child’s diet. Additionally, we’ll discuss how to choose the right one. Let’s go ahead and unlock the power of nature’s first superfood! 

Colostrum: A Superfood for Babies 

Colostrum is the first breast milk produced for the first few days after birth. This nutrient-packed liquid is quite different from regular breast milk. It's like a mini super serum to help jumpstart your little one’s immune system and overall development.  

Unlike regular milk, it is thicker and more concentrated. Loads of nutrients and bioactive compounds, including champion antibodies like IgA, IgG, and IgM, are present in bovine colostrum. It has higher levels of antibodies and protective proteins that act as the baby's first line of defense against infections. 

Colostrum Benefits for Baby: Explained

Think of colostrum as your baby's first superfood drink. Colostrum plays a significant role in giving your baby a healthy start by helping to build their immune system. Here are some of the key health benefits of colostrum for kids:

1. Colostrum Supports Baby’s Immune System

Colostrum contains white blood cells (leukocytes) and a high concentration of antibodies, or immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM) that provide essential defense against infection. They prevent harmful germs from entering the bloodstream, thereby strengthening the immune system.

2. Promotes Gut Health & Aids Healthy Digestion

A baby's digestive system is very sensitive and developing. Colostrum helps coat and create a protective layer on your baby’s gut. By strengthening the gut barrier, colostrum helps establish a healthy microbiome, which is key to preventing allergies and digestive issues later on.

Growth factors present in the colostrum are vital for kickstarting the development of organs, particularly the digestive system. The essential compounds ensure that your child’s gut system is strong and ready for nutrient absorption. Proteins and enzymes present in the colostrum not only nourish your child but also help break down food efficiently, setting the stage for proper digestion. 

Also read: 3 Quick colostrum smooties recipes

3. Helps in Clearing Meconium

Colostrum has a laxative effect and helps protect against an upset tummy. Whatever the baby ingests, in the womb it is cleared out in the form of meconium-the dark sticky first poop.

Colostrum also helps your baby poop frequently which reduces risk of jaundice.

Infants, especially newborns, have higher amounts of red blood cells. When these cells break down, bilirubin is produced. Newborns’ immature liver may not process bilirubin efficiently, leading to a buildup of unconjugated bilirubin. This buildup leads to jaundice since the liver is still developing, and it takes time to process bilirubin.    

4. Helps Your Baby Grow

Colostrum supports the early development of your baby’s brain, eyes, heart, and other vital organs. The growth factors and nutrients found in colostrum lay a strong foundation for cognitive growth, while vitamin A, zinc, and iron support vision, metabolism, and overall development.  

Also read: Colostrum benefits for adults.

Bovine Colostrum: The Surprising Substitute

Now that you know how beneficial colostrum is, let’s discuss cow colostrum. We want you to know that bovine colostrum is 100-1000 times more potent than human colostrum. Doesn't this make cow colostrum nature’s closest alternative to human colostrum? 

A 2020 study found that bovine colostrum contains 14.9% protein, far higher than the 0.8–0.9% in human colostrum. It also has more fat (6.7% vs. 3–5%) but significantly less lactose (2.5% vs. 6.9–7.2%), making it a better option for those with lactose intolerance.

With its nutrient-rich profile and numerous health benefits, bovine colostrum is being extensively researched as a potential health supplement to support overall well-being. While human colostrum remains superior for infants, bovine colostrum supplements can be beneficial for adults and older children, supporting the immune system, gut health, and overall vitality. 

References:

1. Maciej Hałasa, et al. Six Weeks of Supplementation with Bovine Colostrum Effectively Reduces URTIs Symptoms Frequency and Gravity for Up to 20 Weeks in Pre-School Children. Nutrients 2023, 15(16), 3626. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/16/3626

2. Sangild, Per Torp, et al. "Potential benefits of bovine colostrum in pediatric nutrition and health." Nutrients 13.8 (2021): 2551. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8402036/

3. Tripathi, Vishal, and Bhavana Vashishtha. "Bioactive compounds of colostrum and its application." Food Reviews International 22.3 (2006): 225-244. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/87559120600694606

4. Kaplan, Merve, et al. "Production of bovine colostrum for human consumption to improve health." Frontiers in Pharmacology 12 (2022): 796824. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8762312/

5. Gomes, Rhaabe DS, et al. "Bovine colostrum: A source of bioactive compounds for prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders." NFS Journal 25 (2021): 1-11. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352364621000249

6. Li, Yanqi, et al. "A stepwise, pilot study of bovine colostrum to supplement the first enteral feeding in preterm infants (precolos): study protocol and initial results." Frontiers in pediatrics 5 (2017): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5334325/