Colostrum does contain lactoferrin as lactoferrin reaches high concentrations in breast milk as well as colostrum.
Lactoferrin is an iron binding multifunctional glycoprotein that belongs to the transferrin family.
In colostrum there is some protein and small amounts of fat and sugar and also white blood cells which produce antibodies.
The antibodies in colostrum strengthen the baby's immune system and protects them from infection.
Colostrum is the first milk your body produces during pregnancy. It forms in your mammary glands (breasts).
Colostrum has more protein and fewer carbohydrates and fat than mature breast milk.
Colostrum is rich in secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA), which helps to protect the infant from infection.
Colostrum also helps to establish a normal gut microbiome in the infant.
The bowel is considered sterile at birth.
It's difficult to pump colostrum with a breast pump because of its thick consistency.
Most people recommend and prefer using their hands to express colostrum.
Hand expressing colostrum usually produces more colostrum than a pump.
While most people don't experience any side effects from bovine colostrum, there have been rare reports of problems in HIV-positive people such as nausea, vomiting, abnormal liver function tests, and decreased red blood cells.
Colostrum supplements can be beneficial for both newborns and adults.
Colostrum supplements contain many nutrients that could have added health benefits for adults and help support a baby in their first few days of life.
Your body will typically produce colostrum for several days after the birth of your baby before this early milk transitions into regular breast milk.
After the initial two to five days of colostrum production, your breasts will begin to increase in size and feel firmer.
You will likely only be able to harvest tiny quantities of colostrum milk (sometimes less than a milliliter per feed) particularly the first few times.
But any amount you produce is beneficial, so try not to worry about how much you produce.