Is your baby drinking colostrum or colostrum irregularly?

Breast milk is considered the best source of nutrition for the comprehensive development of infants and young children. Therefore, problems with breast milk need to be paid attention to, especially the imbalance between colostrum and final milk.

During each lactation, the mother will secrete about 15ml of colostrum and 60 ml of final milk. Colostrum is the amount of milk produced at the beginning of a feed, sweet, clear, and high in lactose but low in fat.

In contrast, the final milk produced when the milk comes back, travels through the milk glands and collects fat along the way, so it is usually high in calories and more cloudy. Usually, young children need to absorb both of these two types of milk for growth and development. If the amount of first and last milk is imbalanced, the baby will be more likely to face health problems. Let's see the following shares of aFamilyToday Health to understand more about this imbalance.

Imbalance of colostrum and final milk

Many people still confuse colostrum and final milk imbalances with breast milk allergy because both problems have quite similar symptoms. Unbalance of colostrum or colostrum is a condition in which babies are not breastfed enough of either of these two types of milk. Most of the time, this can be due to the baby's fast feeding or constant changing of breasts, making the mixture imbalance, leading to a situation where the baby drinks more colostrum than last milk.

Symptoms are often seen when there is an imbalance in the first and last milk in babies

There are some common signs that a baby is having problems breastfeeding:

1. Child's stool has blood spots

If a baby drinks first and last milk at an inappropriate rate, it will put pressure on the digestive system, causing the baby to gas often and cause the anus and small intestine to work too hard. From there, leading to the condition in the baby's stool appear blood spots.

2. Babies often have digestive problems

Digestive symptoms are the most obvious sign that your baby is having problems with the absorption of first and last milk. Most of the time, your baby will "deflate" and burp more than usual.

3. Lose or lose weight when imbalance of colostrum and final milk

Breast milk is an important source of nutrients in your baby's diet, helping your baby gain weight and develop the amount of fat needed to keep the body healthy. However, for the most part, the nutrients that your baby needs are often in the final milk. Therefore, if the baby does not suck enough of this milk, he or she will be very likely to lose weight or not gain weight.

4. Baby is hungry more often

Final milk contains a great amount of fat and many other nutrients, so this milk will help your baby feel full. If your baby does not have enough last milk, he will often feel hungry and want to feed often.

5. Diaper rash

Drinking the first and last milk in inappropriate proportions can change the nature of the milk, making it slightly acidic. This condition is not good for the baby's body because it can cause the baby to have frequent diaper rash .

6. Abdominal pain

Another common sign that your baby is drinking first and last milk at an inappropriate rate is that he or she has colic due to flatulence and indigestion. Some babies may deflate or burp to let the air out, while others cannot. This causes the baby to have colic, cry loudly, hold hands tightly and try to sleep in the fetal position to relieve pain. If the air does not escape, the baby's abdomen may be slightly distended.

7. Imbalance of colostrum and colostrum causes baby to "poop" right after feeding

Drinking enough first and last milk will help your baby's body have enough energy and nutrients for the digestive system to work. If the amount of absorbed milk is imbalanced, the milk that the baby drinks will not be digested, go straight to the small intestine and be ejected immediately. As a result, you will see your baby "poop" right after feeding or "poop" even while feeding.

8. Your baby's stool is unusual in color and texture

The structure of the stool is the factor that most clearly reflects the baby's health. Babies who drink colostrum or colostrum will absorb more sugar, making stools green and often loose stools.

How to deal with imbalance of colostrum and colostrum?

An imbalance in the proportions of breast milk can make it difficult to deal with. However, there are a few solutions you can try:

1. Patiently breastfeed your baby

Each mother will have a different way of breastfeeding to match the characteristics of each baby. To know which method is right, you need to do it many times to understand when and where to breastfeed properly. Be patient with your baby and yourself so that breastfeeding becomes the best experience for you both.

2. Express some milk before breastfeeding

If you see your baby drinking a lot of first and last little milk, then before you start to breastfeed, express some milk in advance. This will help your baby absorb the first and last milk at the right rate and get the most nutrients.

3. Rest for a while before feeding your baby again

Many mothers choose to breastfeed off one breast before moving to the other. If done this way, during the transition, you can give your baby a little rest before continuing to breastfeed. This will lead to a longer suckling time and a more final return.

4. Try a different feeding position to ensure balance of colostrum and colostrum

There are a number of breastfeeding positions that can help correct the situation of babies drinking uneven colostrum or colostrum. You can lay your baby on his side and face to you to make the milk flow more and help him rest while he is feeding.

5. Breastfeed as soon as the baby is hungry

The longer you keep your baby hungry, the more quickly he will suckle. This will lead to your baby drinking more colostrum than last milk. Therefore, it's best to see if your baby is hungry, you should feed your baby right away so that he or she can absorb both types of milk at the right rate.

6. Extend breastfeeding time

Breastfeeding is like enjoying a meal. The first milk is the appetizer while the last milk is the main dish. Besides, it takes time for your body to produce final milk, so extending the time to feed ensures that your baby has a delicious and nutritious meal.

7. Breastfeed your baby all of the breast before changing sides

Colostrum usually comes out first from each breast during each feed, so it's best to breastfeed on one side before switching to the other. Regular breast changes will make your baby suckle a lot of colostrum, from which your baby will be more likely to be full and will not be able to drink colostrum.

Some misconceptions about the imbalance of colostrum and final milk

Here is a common myth about the imbalance of colostrum and final milk:

If your baby is fussy, constantly deflating and the stools are green, it means there is a problem with breastfeeding. Reality: These symptoms may indicate another problem, although the imbalance of colostrum or final milk has the above symptoms.

If your baby doesn't gain weight, it means your baby is drinking colostrum and colostrum unevenly. In fact, the weight gain depends on the total amount of milk your baby drinks. Without enough milk, the baby will not gain weight.

When should the baby go to the doctor?

If your baby often has abdominal pain, weight loss and discomfort, it's best to have your baby see a doctor to determine if he has any other problems and appropriate intervention.

Breastfeeding is a mutual activity between mother and baby. Try to feed your baby well and maintain proper feeding habits to minimize the risk of your baby not getting enough colostrum and last milk.