Colostrum milk is one of the most important foods a newborn can receive from his mother soon after his birth. Colostrum is thick, yellowish milk that is secreted by a mammal in the first several days after delivery. One factor that makes colostrum milk invaluable to the newborn is a high concentration of antibodies vital in warding off disease.

Another factor is the high concentration of calcium, potassium, proteins, fat-soluble vitamins, minerals and antibodies.

Colostrum milk helps the newborn to fight diseases up to 4 months old. Calves should receive colostrum from their mothers, ideally within 3-4 hours of birth. If they don't, receive the milk within 8 hours of birth, they may face serious health problems throughout their lives.

Researchers have proven that in human beings, too, no food is as nutritious as mothers' colostrum for newborns. Babies who are not breastfed soon after the birth may develop serious psychological and physical disorders as they age. The colostrum milk produced in humans is low in fat and high in carbohydrates, which keeps a baby healthier. Colostrum milk provides baby with antibodies and disease destroying leukocytes, which help the infant to successfully fight off diseases. In addition to all this, the colostrum milk is extremely easy to digest making it the perfect first food for baby.

When the milk produced in the mother's body, changes from colostrum milk to normal milk, the level of total protein, fat, total solids, solids-not-fat and ash decreases, lactose increases and colostral Ig declines rapidly. But due to its innumerable advantages, many mothers prefer to provide a healthy dose of colostrum milk to their children from other sources also. In such cases, bovine colostrum can be a very good alternative as the colostrum milk obtained from cows is not species specific. Also, the composition of bovine colostrum is strikingly similar to that of human beings.

If the colostrum milk is being used in frozen form, it should be used within 24 hours after completely thawed. The storage container should be marked with the time.

Remember, colostrum milk that is obtained from the mother within 12 hours of birth is said to be the best, so be sure to check the time and date stamp before buying colostrum.