The major difference between breast milk and Colostrum is that colostrum is the first milk produced from the mammary gland of all mammals, but breastmilk will be the milky fluid produced from the mammary glands of only female mammals.

Both breast milk and colostrum are rich in nutrients and are released from the mammary glands or different mammals after the child is delivered. The first released milk from the mammary gland will be colostrum. It is full of antibodies and nutrients to protect the baby against infections. Newborns get their primary nutrients from colostrum. While the colostrum has a yellowish color, breast milk will be white.

What Is Colostrum?

The mammary glands of all mammals will produce milk and the first milk can be considered as colostrum. This applies in the case of humans too. It is during the pregnancy period that the development of colostrum happens. It lasts for about 3-4 days after giving birth to the child. It will be released before the production of breast milk. The colostrum is yellowish in color and is very thick. It is full of nutrients with high amounts of antibodies to protect the baby from bacteria and infections. Infants get their immunity from colostrum and it is the main factor in providing gut health. Colostrum also helps in the process of growth and provides many benefits for humans throughout their life.

Proteins like lactoferrin, antibodies like immunoglobulins, and growth factors like IGF-1 and IGF- 2 are present in colostrum. It is also dense in minerals, vitamins, and macronutrients. The nutritious benefit of colostrum makes it a supplement form that can be taken in every phase of human life. Most of the supplements are made from the cow’s colostrum.

What Is Breast Milk?

Female mammals’ mammary glands produce a fluid after the child is born, which is called breast milk. Newborns get their primary nutrients from breast milk. After two weeks of childbirth, breast milk will begin to mature. It will be completely mature when the baby turns one month old. There will be high levels of some components in the matured breast milk to protect the baby from viral and bacterial infections. Different proteins are present in breast milk that helps in the development of the brain of the baby, growth, and immune system. It also has vitamins, minerals, micronutrients, etc to keep the child healthy throughout his life.

Breast milk contains high cholesterol and sugar content. One-third of the total helpful bacteria present in the gut of the baby will be from breast milk. Hormones and stem cells are also present in the breast milk. It is the best option for an infant than other milk formulas available in the market. It is also the most cost-effective method to provide all the nutrients along with feeding the baby.

Difference Between Colostrum And Breast Milk

● Colostrum is the first produced milk of mammary glands and it turns into breast milk after three to four days.
● Colostrum is yellow in color while breast milk is white.
● Colostrum will be thicker than breast milk.