What is one characteristic of colostrum that makes it valuable to infants?

Colostrum is a crucial first milk produced by the mother immediately after giving birth, and one of its primary and most significant characteristics is that it is rich in antibodies. This high concentration of immunoglobulins, particularly immunoglobulin A (IgA), plays a vital role in providing the newborn with passive immunity. This is especially important as infants are born with immature immune systems, and the antibodies from colostrum help protect them from infections and illnesses during their early days of life.

Additionally, colostrum contains a variety of other beneficial components, such as growth factors and high concentrations of nutrients, which are vital for the infant’s initial growth and development. The protective factors present in colostrum help to establish the infant's gut flora and protect against pathogens.

While it is true that colostrum is lower in calories than mature breast milk, this lower caloric content is not a defining factor for its value to infants. Colostrum does contain fat, but it is not considered high in fat compared to later milk. Lastly, while lactose is an important component of all human milk, colostrum is not entirely lactose-based; it has a complex composition that supports the infant in multiple ways. Thus, the richness in antibodies stands out