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Often misunderstood and sometimes dismissed, colostrum is the very first maternal milk and a vital source of nourishment for the newborn. Emerging from an international research initiative that brings together biology and anthropology, its rediscovery is challenging long-held assumptions about breastfeeding and the transmission of life.

Colostrum, a word that carries a trace of mystery, evokes a long-forgotten legacy. It is the very first maternal milk, secreted in the days immediately following birth, before mature milk takes over. Produced in small quantities, this golden fluid is rich in antibodies, enzymes, growth factors, and essential nutrients. Despite its biological value, colostrum remains underused and surrounded by persistent beliefs in many societies across the world.

Since 2013, an unprecedented scientific initiative known as COLOSTRUM has mobilized research teams across seven countries and four continents, from France to Burkina Faso, Brazil to Cambodia. The project brings together biologists, anthropologists, and healthcare professionals to explore both the biological effects of this first milk and the cultural representations that shape its use. Beyond its well-established medical properties, colostrum carries symbolic and societal dimensions that are only beginning to be understood.

From a biological standpoint, its benefits are now widely recognized. Rich in immunoglobulins and antibodies, colostrum acts as a first vaccine, strengthening the infant’s immune system and protecting against infections. It promotes intestinal maturation, coats mucous membranes with protective barriers, supports the colonization of the microbiota by beneficial bacteria, and provides vital energy at a time when every calorie counts. A growing body of research highlights its role in shaping the infant gut microbiome, with early bacterial colonizers playing a key role in preventing allergies, metabolic disorders, and even long-term obesity. Some researchers now describe colostrum as an “invisible architect” of future health.

For premature babies, colostrum takes on a life-saving dimension. In neonatal care, it is sometimes referred to as a drop of gold for its ability to protect the fragile intestine, prevent serious conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis, and reinforce immune defenses. In several countries, hospitals have begun organizing the collection and distribution of this precious fluid for the most vulnerable newborns, and colostrum banks are emerging to support cases where mothers are unable to provide it themselves.

Colostrum and Cultural Beliefs

On the ground, the reality is far more complex. In many countries, breastfeeding from birth is not the norm, and early initiation, which ensures access to colostrum, remains uncommon. The data collected by the COLOSTRUM program are often striking. In France, only 16% of premature infants receive colostrum, even when mothers intend to breastfeed. In rural areas and in parts of Africa and Asia, the situation becomes even more challenging.

At the heart of this gap between knowledge and practice is not only a lack of awareness but also the persistence of cultural beliefs and taboos. In several societies, colostrum is perceived as impure, overly concentrated, or harmful to the newborn. It is sometimes described as dirty, old, or too heavy. As a result, it may be discarded or replaced with water, herbal infusions, or animal milk while families wait for the arrival of white milk, considered purer. These representations, passed down through generations, are often reinforced by limited access to information, inadequate breastfeeding support, and hospital practices that do not accommodate early feeding. Even in modern maternity wards, medicalized childbirth, the absence of adapted protocols, and separation of mother and infant after cesarean delivery continue to restrict access to colostrum.

This disconnect is all the more striking given that most mothers want to offer the best to their child. Beyond its biological importance, the gift of colostrum is also an act of transmission. It fosters bonding, skin-to-skin contact, and the release of oxytocin, the hormone of attachment, which benefits both mother and baby. To protect this vital resource, researchers and public health organizations recommend training healthcare professionals, facilitating colostrum collection and distribution, raising awareness among families in culturally sensitive ways, and ensuring hygienic expression practices.

The stakes remain high. Every drop given offers a newborn a stronger start in life, marked by health and protection. This early act of breastfeeding reflects a quiet pact of trust between generations, between science and tradition, and above all between mother and child.