Colostrum: right from the start
Colostrum is the very first milk your body produces, typically beginning around 16 weeks gestation. While some mothers can express a few drops early on, and others find their breasts leaking in pregnancy, some might only notice a little dried costrum on their nipple and many see none at all before their baby is born: all normal variations and not indicators of milk production or breastfeeding capability.
In recent years, expressing colostrum in late pregnancy and freezing it has become popular. While generally only advised for known risks of baby needing supplementary feeds in the first few days (eg: babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes), many people choose to store colostrum "just in case". If expressing antenataly is comfortable for you, you are at least 36+ weeks pregnant and you have been given the all-clear by your midwife or doctor, then go for it! Be aware that the variations between mothers in the amount they can express at this stage varies and average just a few millilitres. Again, this is not an indicator of your milk supply. If expressing colostrum is stressful or frustrating, don't feel you must continue. Your milk will be there when your baby feeds and/or your midwife will help you express postnatally if needed.
In some cultures, colostrum has been seen very differently. While modern science has shown valuable nutrients and immune system support, colostrum was seen as unclean or unsafe by some. It is important to support babies to have this first food as nature intended. While respecting the beliefs of community elders, mothers need support to meet the current recommendations for babies to be exclusively breastfed from birth, without other food or drinks, unless medically required. This may or may not include traditional or ceremonial first foods.
Colostrum is packed with the nutrients babies need before the traditional milk "comes in" several days after birth and gives the infant gut important bacteria to support healthy digestion and immune protection.
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