That “dirty yellow milk” may be the most valuable milk your baby will ever receive.

Yet some mothers are still told to press it out and throw it away.

Please don’t.

That thick, yellowish first milk is ‘colostrum’. It is not dirty, stale or harmful. It is packed with nutrients, antibodies and infection-fighting cells that help protect your newborn.

A new mother once asked me:

“Doctor, my baby is only 30 minutes old and crying, but my breast milk has not started coming out. What should I give the baby?”

The reassuring answer is that her breasts may already contain what the baby needs.

Colostrum comes in small amounts – sometimes only a few golden drops. But a newborn’s stomach is also tiny, so most healthy newborns do not need large quantities at each feed during those first days.

Put your baby to the breast as early as possible – ideally within the first hour after birth and continue offering the breast frequently. The more your baby suckles, the stronger the signal to your body to produce milk.

Breastfeeding may take a little longer to become established after a Caesarean Section too. Support with positioning, attachment and frequent breastfeeding can make a difference.

If your baby cannot latch, is unusually sleepy, is not feeding well or you are worried about how much the baby is getting, speak with your doctor or midwife promptly.

Were women in your family told to keep the yellow first milk or throw it away?

Tell me in the comments. I really want to know how common this belief still is.

Share this with a pregnant woman, new mother or grandmother.

#BreastfeedingMonth
#Colostrum
#Breastfeeding
#HealthyLivingWithDrKetch