Colostrum is an extremely important type of milk for the development of children. However, to help parents better understand the benefits of colostrum, HIUP will provide a clearer explanation of its definition, components, and the advantages it offers for a child’s development.
Contents
1. What Is Colostrum?
1.1. Definition of Colostrum
There are two types of colostrum:
- Mother’s colostrum: This is a special type of milk produced by the mother’s breasts during the first 2-3 days after giving birth. It is a precious and vital source of nutrition for babies in their early months of life.
- Processed colostrum: This type is made from the colostrum of cows, goats, or sheep and undergoes processing to remove bacteria and preserve it. Processed colostrum is often supplemented with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients and comes in two main forms: powder or liquid.
Colostrum is formed from the 7th month of pregnancy onward, due to hormonal changes in the mother after childbirth. Although the amount of colostrum is small—around 20-50 ml per feeding—it contains nutrient levels that are 10 times higher than mature milk.
1.2. How to Differentiate Colostrum from Regular Milk
- Taste:
- Colostrum: Slightly sweet, a bit fishy, may have a salty or slightly sour taste.
- Regular milk: Sweet and rich.
- Color:
- Colostrum: Pale yellow, orange, or milky white.
- Regular milk: Milky white.
1.3. Main Components of Colostrum
- Protein: Colostrum contains 5 times more protein than regular breast milk, including key components such as immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, growth factors, macrophages, neutrophils, and lymphocytes. This helps strengthen the baby’s immune system, reducing the risk of infections and supporting the effective development of their immune system in the early stages of life.
- Vitamins: Colostrum provides essential vitamins for the baby such as vitamins A, E, B2, B3, K, and more, which contribute to the child’s physical and intellectual development.
- Lactose: The lactose content in colostrum is low, making it easier for babies to digest and absorb nutrients. Additionally, colostrum has high levels of chloride and sodium.
- Minerals: Colostrum contains significantly higher amounts of trace elements such as copper, iron, and zinc compared to regular breast milk, which helps strengthen the baby’s body and enhance their immune system.
- Immunoglobulin: Colostrum contains large amounts of immunoglobulin, which boosts the immune system and helps prevent neonatal infections.
2. Benefits of Colostrum for Children
Colostrum is known for its exceptional benefits for children, making it a top concern for many parents. Specifically, the benefits of colostrum for children’s development include:
2.1. Boosting the Immune System
Colostrum is rich in antibodies, immunoglobulins, and immune cells that help enhance the baby’s immune system, protecting them from pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and more. As a result, the baby will experience fewer minor illnesses and be less prone to infectious diseases during their early months.
2.2. Supporting Comprehensive Development
Colostrum provides all the essential nutrients needed for the baby’s comprehensive development, including proteins, vitamins, minerals, fats, and more. This helps promote the healthy development of the digestive system, nervous system, skeletal system, respiratory system, and more.
2.3. Protecting Children from Diseases
Colostrum contains high levels of immunoglobulin (IgA), which helps protect the delicate lining of the baby’s intestines and prevents infections. Moreover, colostrum has a wonderful effect in supporting the baby’s digestive system, including:
- Laxative effect: Colostrum helps promote bowel movements, encouraging the quick expulsion of meconium and the removal of excess bilirubin. This prevents jaundice and reduces the risk of sensitivity and allergies in babies.
- Preventing constipation: Colostrum makes digestion easier, reducing the risk of constipation, which is especially important during the early days when the baby’s digestive system is still immature.
3. HIUP Height-Enhancing Specialized Colostrum
HIUP’s specialized colostrum for height enhancement is an optimal nutritional solution for the physical and intellectual development of Vietnamese children, with outstanding advantages:
- Colostrum: Imported from Bio Group, a leading colostrum supplier in the United States, helping to build a strong immune system, boost resistance, and protect children from harmful bacteria.
- New generation dual calcium: A combination of organic calcium from red algae Aquamin F and nano-structured calcium hydroxyapatite, enhancing the body’s absorption capacity and promoting height growth.
- CaD3K2 Growth Trio: Helps channel and absorb all calcium into the body, especially the bones, to optimize the height development process.
With high-quality colostrum ingredients, HIUP addresses issues like constipation, poor digestion, and weak resistance, while also stimulating outstanding height growth for children aged 2 to 15 years.
4. How to Use Colostrum Effectively
Colostrum offers numerous wonderful health benefits, especially for children. However, to use colostrum effectively, parents should note the following:
4.1. Recommended Dosage
When using colostrum for children under 3 years old, parents should consult a doctor. For children over 3 years old, parents can follow the recommended dosage below:
- First week: Give the child colostrum 3 times a day. Each time, mix 1/2 scoop of colostrum with 50 ml of cool water.
- From the second week onwards: Give the child colostrum 2 times a day. Each time, mix 0.75 scoops of colostrum with 100 ml of cool water.
Use colostrum according to the recommended dosage.
Note: During the child’s bone development phase, parents should give colostrum 2 times a day. Each time, mix 1–1.5 scoops of colostrum with 100–150 ml of cool water.
4.2. Best Time to Use
The best time to use colostrum to maximize its effects is early in the morning, right after waking up on an empty stomach. After drinking, wait about 30 minutes before feeding the child breakfast and water.
If using colostrum 2 times a day, parents should give it to the child in the morning before eating and the second time in the afternoon around 3-4 PM, also on an empty stomach.
4.3. Notes When Using Colostrum
Here are some tips to maximize the benefits of colostrum:
- Mix according to the correct formula, dosage, and ratio of colostrum to cool water.
- Prepare colostrum with warm water between 45–55°C.
- Shake well to ensure the colostrum dissolves completely, allowing nutrients to absorb into the child’s body most effectively.
We hope that the information on the benefits of colostrum provided by HIUP will help parents choose the right colostrum to support their child’s comprehensive development.
