Are you going to breastfeed or bottle feed? The first important decision regarding the unborn baby is that of the food it will carry. Most mothers choose what is undoubtedly the best option for the baby: breastfeed. The remaining minority choose to give infant formula, better known as artificial milk.
How to feed a baby is a personal decision of each mother and should therefore be respected by others (no one should recriminate you for not breastfeeding). However, I know of many hospitals that have the procedure of accepting any decision in this respect from the mothers (it is desirable, of course), but they make a recommendation in case they choose not to breastfeed: "What if you give him colostrum?".
A recommendation, not an obligation
In case the question "What if you give the colostrum?" Sounds like "Well, it's very good that you want to give the bottle, but that you know that breastfeeding is the best, at least give the colostrum," I want to clarify that the role of health professionals is not (or should not be) to judge the decisions that parents make but inform so that they have the data and make the decision they consider best.
When a mother gives birth, it is assumed that she has information in reference to the feeding of babies, and if she does not have one, she can ask her without problem. What he does not know is the value in immunological terms of colostrum, and that is why it seems good, and correct, to be informed of it.
The mother's decision not to breastfeed the baby is accepted, but it can be explained that in such cases a recommendation is usually made to all mothers of give the colostrum to the baby the first few days, and then go to the bottle. Obviously, it must be explained in a climate of respect, offering the information in a neutral way and adding that she is free, again, to choose the option she prefers.
Why give colostrum?
A mother may think that the insistence of those in the white coat (and ours, from Babies and more) reaches unsuspected limits: "How heavy with breastfeeding", but must understand that the intention is not to bother, but to do , always, health recommendations. In the same way that a pediatrician or a nurse will talk about vaccines as an effective method to prevent important diseases, in the same way that he will give various tips for the baby to have a better health, it is normal to explain to the mother the importance of giving the baby his first "preventive vaccine".
I'm not talking about puncturing him, or buying any payment vaccine at the pharmacy, I'm talking about giving him his first shot of external immunoglobulins so that from the first day the baby is a little more protected. I speak of colostrum.
Many times he is spoken of as "liquid gold." This is because of its yellowing, but not only because of that, but because of its composition and function. Colostrum is the travel suitcase on arrival in the world.
Prepare your things, what are you leaving
He had grown up, grew older, matured and the day came when he decided to leave. He said goodbye to his house, his family, his surroundings, his home, because from that moment on he began a new life separated from everything that had accompanied him until then. Before leaving, his mother, always as attentive and worried, as most mothers, prepared a bag with the most important. Those things that one may need at any time and must always keep in mind. Step by step, as when he was a child, he explained the reason for each thing, so that he was clear when he might need it and how to use it.
Well, more or less, that is colostrum, it is to take the baby at the moment when he begins his new life outside the womb and give him, in the first days, a bag, a suitcase, a backpack, whatever you want to call it, with things that are going to go well to start the trip. Something like the first push.
What am i talking about?
I'm talking about colostrum containing a high concentration of amino acids, protagonists of cell metabolism and cell regeneration, essential for all bodily and mental functions.
I'm talking about it contains a high concentration of antibodies (immunoglobulins A, D, E, G and M), very important at birth, since the baby is born with a very immature immune system. They are a protection for a baby who comes to a world full of bacteria, viruses and germs that will soon begin to attack him.
I'm talking about what it contains natural growth factors, which accelerate the growth of many cells (bone, cartilage) and at the same time slow the development of negative cells for the baby. In addition, they help develop the baby's immune system.
I'm talking about what it contains vitamins to start helping the body do its main functions.
I'm talking about what it contains cytokines, substances responsible for stimulating lymph nodes (something like stores where germs and pathogens that enter the body are fought) and also have antiviral function.
I'm talking about what it contains glycoproteins, which allow growth and immunological factors to pass through the stomach without being destroyed by acid.
I'm talking about what it contains lactoferrin Y tranferrina, responsible for transporting iron to red blood cells to prevent viruses and bacteria from taking advantage of that iron to grow and multiply.
I'm talking about it contains the Lactobacillus Bifidus Acidophilus, which helps digestion by reducing the annoying bacteria and fungi for the digestive system.
I'm talking about what it contains PRPs, which are proline-rich polypeptides, which support and regulate the functioning of the "thymus" gland, which has an effect on the baby's immune system.
I'm talking about what it contains leukocytes, better known as white blood cells, which stimulate the production of interferon, which is a retarder of viral reproduction, preventing viruses from reproducing and making their entry into cells difficult.
I'm talking about it contains enzymes lactoperoxidase-thiocyanate, peroxidase Y xanthine oxidase, which destroy bacteria by their ability to secrete oxygen peroxide.
I'm talking about what it contains lysozymes, capable of destroying bacteria and viruses and lymphokines, which regulate the immune reaction.
I'm talking about what it contains trypsinic and protease inhibitors, whose function is to protect all immune and colostrum growth substances from destruction in the gastrointestinal tract of the baby, so that they come to fruition.
I'm talking about what it contains oligopolysaccharides Y glycoconjugates, which attract pathogens such as Streptococcus, E. Coli, Salmonella, Cryptoesporidia, Giardía, Entamoeba, Shigella, Clostridium, toxins A and B, and cholera, fixing them and preventing them from attaching themselves to mucous membranes of the baby and entering in them.
I am talking about that it contains other immune factors such as orotic acid, secretory IgA, specific helper IgA, lactoglobulin B, lactaalbumin, prealbumin, alpha-1 antitrypsin, alpha-1 fetoprotein, alpha-2 macroglobulin, Apglicoprotein alpha-2, C3, C4 and orosomucoids.
And I'm talking about that it contains other substances such as endorphins, interleukins, interferone, biotin, L-carnitine, melatonin, insulin, lysozyme, prolactin, xanthinoxidase, lactoperoxidase, etc.
Come on, as I said, I talk about giving the baby his first big push in life. A backpack full of instruments that will help you in your first days to better carry the separation and the coat of mom, where there was no danger that lurked.
That is why all women should be recommended to offer colostrum as a minimum. It is a substance that, if sold in pharmacies, every father and mother would buy, although notice, it sure would not be economical. And yet it is free, the mother makes it without realizing it and many babies miss it because those mothers have not explained that it could be very interesting for the baby to take it.
