Introduction
Colostrum is the milky substance that mothers produce from the breast during the first few days after birth. It is high in nutrients. Most colostrum that is available for purchase comes from cows. Colostrum has been used to improve infant health. It has also been used to improve athletic performance in adults. It can be taken as a pill or powder.
Dosages
10 to 20 grams once daily—This dose is not advised for infants.
What Research Shows
May Be Effective
- Failure to thrive —may increase birthweight A1
- HIV —may reduce diarrhea when used with standard treatment B1
- Respiratory tract infections and diarrhea—may prevent recurring episodes G1
Unlikely to Be Effective
- Necrotizing enterocolitis—unlikely to ease symptoms in infants F1
Not Enough Data to Assess
- Immunoglobulin A deficiency C1
- Low birth weight D1, D2
- Preterm infants E1-E3
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Safety Notes
It is likely safe to take colostrum in small doses for a short time. Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to use for a long period. It is also not known whether it is safe to take by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Interactions
Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.
References
REFA Failure to Thrive
REFA1 Panahi Y, Falahi G, et al. Bovine colostrum in the management of nonorganic failure to thrive: a randomized clinical trial. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2010 May;50(5):551-554.
REFB HIV
REFB1 Kaducu FO, Okia SA, et al. Effect of bovine colostrum-based food supplement in the treatment of HIV-associated diarrhea in Northern Uganda: a randomized controlled trial. Indian J Gastroenterol. 2011;30(6):270-276.
REFC Immunoglobulin A Deficiency
REFC1 Patıroğlu T, Kondolot M. The effect of bovine colostrum on viral upper respiratory tract infections in children with immunoglobulin A deficiency. Clin Respir J. 2013 Jan;7(1):21-26.
REFD Low Birth Weight
REFD1 Balachandran B, Dutta S, et al. Bovine Colostrum in Prevention of Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Sepsis in Very Low Birth Weight Neonates: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Pilot Trial. J Trop Pediatr. 2017 Feb;63(1):10-17.
REFD2 Zhang Y, Ji F, et al. Oropharyngeal Colostrum Administration in Very Low Birth Weight Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2017 Sep;18(9):869-875.
REFE Preterm infants
REFE1 Lee J, Kim HS, et al. Oropharyngeal colostrum administration in extremely premature infants: an RCT. Pediatrics. 2015 Feb;135(2):e357-66.
REFE2 Romano-Keeler J, Azcarate-Peril MA, et al. Oral colostrum priming shortens hospitalization without changing the immunomicrobial milieu. J Perinatol. 2017 Jan;37(1):36-41.
REFE3 Nasuf AWA, Ojha S, et al. Oropharyngeal colostrum in preventing mortality and morbidity in preterm infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;9:CD0011921.
REFF Necrotizing Enterocolitis
REFF1 Sadeghirad B, Morgan RL, et al. Human and Bovine Colostrum for Prevention of Necrotizing Enterocolitis: A Meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 2018 Aug;142(2). pii: e20180767.
REFG Respiratory Tract Infections and Diarrhea
REFG1 Saad K, Abo-Elela MG, et al. Effects of bovine colostrum on recurrent respiratory tract infections and diarrhea in children. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016 Sep;95(37):e4560.