What is a notable difference between breast milk and colostrum?

Colostrum is the first milk produced by the mother after giving birth and is notably different from mature breast milk in several ways. One of the most significant differences is the fat content. Colostrum contains lower fat content compared to mature breast milk, making it more concentrated in proteins, antibodies, and other nutrients that are crucial for the newborn's immediate postnatal needs. This is essential for providing the infant with a strong immune foundation and preventing infections during their early days of life.

Additionally, colostrum is rich in immunoglobulins, particularly IgA, which helps protect the newborn's gut and provides passive immunity. In fact, breast milk has lower levels of these immunoglobulins as it transitions to mature milk, where the fat content increases significantly. This shift supports the growing infant as their nutritional needs evolve after the first few days postpartum.

While breast milk does eventually provide more vitamins and a more balanced nutritional composition with higher fat content, this transformation occurs as the mother's milk matures over time, highlighting the unique and critical role of colostrum in early infant nutrition.