It may be hard to believe, but a breastfeeding mother's milk varies depending on the gestational age, time of day, and age of the baby. Some pregnant women already at the 16th week of pregnancy notice that milk is coming out of the breast in a gruel. Then the question arises, how to distinguish colostrum from milk in women.
General information
This is the physiology associated with hormonal changes during this period of pregnancy. In general, there is an opinion that if this happens, a woman will have less milk after childbirth. Do not panic, however, because this is not true. If it bothers you, just insert your bra pads and don't get nervous.
Colostrum
Colostrum can appear in the third trimester of pregnancy and only within 3-4 days after birth. Displaces its transitional milk. Those who wondered how to distinguish colostrum from breast milk should keep in mind that the first is yellowish, sticky and looks like some kind ofgruel coming out of the chest in a small volume.
Don't be upset that the child is not full. For him, this amount of food is enough. Colostrum is scarce, but highly nutritious. It contains a lot of protein, minerals, enzymes, antibodies that have anti-inflammatory effects. The difference between colostrum and breast milk is that the former acts as the mildest laxative, helping the baby to acquire the first stool. It's basically a baby vaccine. Colostrum coats the walls of his gastrointestinal tract, preventing harmful bacteria from multiplying. It has many more benefits that are currently under research. So the differences between colostrum and milk will only be established in the future.
Transition milk
The next type of breast milk is a transitional form. At this stage, the woman feels that her breasts are swollen, heavy. If she is wondering how to tell postpartum colostrum from transitional milk, she should keep in mind that the latter will be more watery. It has a transparent color.
Milk of this form contains a large amount of antibodies and protein. It is then that mothers most often begin to fatten their children, thereby violating lactation. During this period, babies are more likely to reach for the breast.
Mature
Mature milk stabilizes from 2-6 weeks postpartum. And at this stage, the woman stops wondering how to distinguish milk from colostrum. This is a mature variety with a bluish tint. This liquid contains less protein. We often hear: if you leave breast milk in a container and cream is not formed from it, then the liquid is not thick enough, the baby does not eat up. This is a false belief. It must be remembered that human milk is intended only for a small child. The female endocrine system throughout pregnancy adapted it quantitatively and qualitatively for the baby.
Change in cast
Mother's milk changes during one feeding. Milk of the first phase is very watery, contains more proteins, lactose, sugars, mineral s alts and water. And milk of the second stage includes, in addition to the components of the first stage, much more fat.
Properties
Mother's milk is the baby's best source of nutrients needed for development and growth. This liquid is best suited to the needs of the baby. It affects hormonal balance and the immune system. The absorption of nutrients from mother's milk is much higher than in the case of formula feeding. The composition of human milk is not constant and varies depending on the stage of lactation, the time of feeding, the duration of feeding and the suction power of the infant. For this reason, women often wonder how to tell milk from colostrum.
Appearance
Colostrum is a thick, yellowish liquid, sometimes transparent. This is the so-called first milk. Colostrum looks like cream and is rich in protein, vitamins and immune bodies. It destroys pathogensmicroorganisms. Contains immunoglobulins against polio, influenza, salmonella bacteria and numerous viruses. During the first day after childbirth, its amount can reach 100 ml.
Those who are wondering how to tell milk from colostrum should keep in mind that mature milk appears about a week after birth. It contains much more, and the calorie content of food is the most important characteristic at the end of feeding.
Composition
The main ingredient in breast milk is casein. It is completely and quite easily absorbed by the body of the child. Due to the fact that casein is quickly excreted, babies become hungry faster than children who are artificially fed. In the first days of lactation, women's milk contains a lot of cystine and taurine, which are necessary for the development of the brain of a newborn. The protein content of milk decreases throughout the feeding period, so around the sixth month of life, the baby should start to give a little complementary foods.
The composition of this liquid ensures the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. It helps to maintain the structure of cell membranes and nerve cells in good condition, and contributes to the development of the vision of a newborn child. Breast milk is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are essential for proper brain development, as well as increasing the child's resistance to infections. The concentration of fat is the smallest at the beginning of feeding, and increases at the end of suckling by the baby. Long breaks between feedings reduce the amount of fat in milk.
Milk sugar, lactose provide the baby with energy. Breast milk contains much more lactose than, for example, cow's milk. Lactic acid bacteria during breastfeeding provide the best protection against infections in the baby's gastrointestinal tract.
Milk formula contains many more compounds than breast milk, so bottle-fed babies are prone to fluid retention. Trace elements from the mother's food are optimally absorbed by the child. Breast milk contains little iron, and the lactoferrin involved in it binds the elements in an optimal way so that the baby can absorb them. Lactoferrin is not observed in mixtures, therefore, an excess of iron in the body can contribute to the development of bacteria. Vitamin K should be given to the baby for the first three months of breastfeeding.
Immune forces of the child in the first year of life are still immature. Antibodies obtained after childbirth decompose quickly. Mother's milk is the baby's best defense against infections. Colostrum contains a large amount of antibodies that protect the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory and urinary tract. Therefore, those who wondered how to distinguish milk from colostrum should not worry. Nature has provided virtually everything.
