Breastfeeding

Colostrum is the first milk you produce after your baby is born. It is yellow in colour, thick in consistency, and it is normal to produce only a few millilitres in the first few days.

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Colostrum has been termed 'drops of gold' because it delivers its nutrients in a very concentrated low-volume form but contains all the nutrients your baby needs for the first few days of life. This is ideal for all babies' adaptation and development but is especially important when your baby is in the neonatal unit.

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Breast milk contains hormones, nutrients, growth factors, and antibodies tailored to your baby's needs. As a result, breast milk boosts your baby's immune system, protects against infections and provides the nutrients and hormones for growth and development. Breast milk is easy to digest and is absorbed more efficiently than formula milk. It also has a mild laxative effect, which can help your baby to clear the gut of meconium (the first dark, sticky stool), this can help to prevent Jaundice. 

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After about three days of birth, your breast milk will change to more mature milk, produced in larger volumes. Babies fed with breast milk have been shown to have improved short-term and long-term health outcomes compared to those who are artificially fed.

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Premature and sick babies are very vulnerable. Breast milk acts as one of the best medicines to protect them from illness and infections, as well as help their systems to mature, particularly the digestive system. 

Even if you did not plan to breastfeed your baby, it is beneficial to give them your expressed breast milk whilst they are in the hospital.

 

A neonatal or maternity team member can support you with expressing and with any questions you may have. We have added some information on breastfeeding to these pages. However, it is not designed to replace your nursing and medical team conversations.