The Low-Down on Colostrum

Whether you're going to breastfeed or not, during your pregnancy, your breasts are busy producing colostrum—the special thick and sticky, orange-y, yellowish "pre-milk" that's low in fat, high in carbs, proteins and antibodies, and full of protective white cells, which can destroy disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Heck, it's practically magic milk!

Colostrum is also easy on a newborn's digestive system, which is important in the early days. Its mildly laxative properties help baby pass that thick, sticky first stool (meconium) and also help newborns excrete bilirubin to prevent jaundice.

Depending on how frequently you breastfeed, your colostrum will last about 3-4 days, when your "regular" milk—which is thinner and whiter—will start to come in.