What Happens if I Drink My Colostrum?

November 14, 2025 •

5 min read

Breast milk has unique benefits for infants, and it is perfectly safe for a mother to consume her own colostrum. But what happens if I drink my colostrum for potential health benefits or simply out of curiosity? While human colostrum contains valuable immune-boosting compounds, the nutritional advantage for an adult is minimal compared to the profound impact it has on a newborn.

Quick Summary

Consuming your own colostrum is not harmful but offers few proven health benefits for adults, as your digestive system differs significantly from an infant's. The specialized antibodies and growth factors in colostrum are uniquely designed to support a newborn's immature immune and gut systems. For adults seeking health benefits, bovine colostrum supplements are more common, though research is still emerging and they are not regulated.

Key Points

Safety for the Mother: Drinking your own colostrum is perfectly safe, but it offers minimal health benefits for adults compared to its critical role for infants.
Infant-Specific Benefits: Colostrum is uniquely designed for a newborn's needs, providing highly concentrated immune factors, growth factors, and nutrients for gut development and passive immunity.
No Adult Immunity Boost: An adult's mature digestive system breaks down the delicate antibodies and proteins in colostrum, rendering a significant immune-boosting effect unlikely.
Bovine Colostrum Supplements: Commercially available supplements are made from cow colostrum and may offer some benefits for adult gut and immune health, but research is mixed and they are not FDA regulated.
Ethical Consideration: Prioritizing your baby's intake of colostrum is essential, as the small, concentrated volume is crucial for their health and development.
Risk from Shared Milk: Consuming human milk from someone else carries significant health risks, including exposure to infectious diseases, unless sourced from a certified milk bank.
Mild Side Effects: Mild digestive upset can be a side effect for adults taking bovine colostrum supplements.

Is It Safe to Drink Your Own Colostrum?

For a lactating parent, drinking your own colostrum is perfectly safe. You already have the antibodies that colostrum contains circulating in your body, and your digestive system is already mature, meaning the specialized components will not have the same effect as they would on an infant. The health risks associated with drinking human milk apply mainly to consuming milk from another person, as it could potentially transmit infectious diseases like HIV, especially if the source's health status is unknown. These risks are not a concern when consuming your own milk.

The Role of Colostrum in Infant Health

Colostrum is often called "liquid gold" due to its thick, yellowish appearance and incredible density of nutrients and immune factors. It is crucial for a newborn's initial health, providing immunity support, promoting gut health, being easy to digest, and helping with meconium clearing.

What About Adult Benefits?

While colostrum is a powerful and concentrated superfood for newborns, the benefits for adults are minimal and largely unproven. Your mature digestive system breaks down the delicate, specialized proteins and antibodies before they can have a significant effect. Though a sip of your own colostrum will not cause harm, it will not provide a miraculous immunity boost either.

Can Adults Benefit from Colostrum Supplements?

Most colostrum supplements available commercially are derived from bovine (cow) colostrum, not human. Some studies suggest potential benefits for adults consuming these supplements, though research is still in early stages and often mixed.

Colostrum vs. Mature Milk for Adult Consumption

The differences in composition between human colostrum and mature milk highlight why colostrum isn't an adult superfood. A table detailing the features of each, including appearance, antibodies, protein, fat, sugar, vitamins, and purpose, can be found on {Link: Banner Health website https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/teach-me/the-benefits-of-colostrum-for-babies-and-adults}.

Ethical and Practical Considerations

While drinking your own colostrum is safe, it is critical to prioritize your newborn's needs. The small volume of colostrum produced in the first few days is precious and contains exactly what your baby needs. If you choose to express and drink it yourself, you should not do so at the expense of your baby's intake. For those considering sharing human milk, significant health risks are associated with consuming milk from another person unless it is sourced from a regulated milk bank.

Conclusion: Prioritize the Newborn's Needs

Ultimately, while nothing harmful happens if you drink your colostrum, it does not provide the same benefits to a fully developed adult as it does to a newborn. The small, concentrated volume is uniquely formulated for your baby's immune system and gut development. For adults seeking immune or gut health support, discussing scientifically proven dietary strategies with a healthcare provider is a more effective and reliable approach than consuming human colostrum. This ensures that the "liquid gold" is reserved for the precious purpose it was designed for.

What if you're not lactating? Bovine Colostrum Supplements

If you are not a lactating parent but are curious about the potential benefits of colostrum, commercially available supplements derived from bovine colostrum may be an option, but with caution. Sourced from cows after birth, bovine colostrum is processed into powders or capsules. Research on the efficacy and safety for adults is still inconclusive and mixed. Potential benefits include enhanced immunity, improved gut health, and athletic performance, but side effects can include digestive issues. Consulting a doctor is essential, especially for those with dairy allergies or autoimmune conditions.

Expressing Colostrum Before Birth

Antenatal expressing, collecting colostrum before birth, can be helpful if there are concerns about milk supply or the baby's feeding. This colostrum is for the newborn, not for maternal consumption. Discuss antenatal expressing with a healthcare provider, as it can potentially trigger uterine contractions.

Final Thoughts

Whether considering your own human colostrum or a bovine supplement, the most profound benefits of colostrum are for newborns. For adults, a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle are more reliable for wellness. Drinking colostrum, while harmless for the mother, is not a shortcut to enhanced health.

Human-Milk-Banking-Association-North-America

Why is colostrum so important for a newborn compared to an adult?

A newborn's gut is permeable, allowing whole, large antibodies from colostrum to pass through into their bloodstream, which jumpstarts their immature immune system. An adult's gut, however, is much less permeable, and their mature digestive system would break down these antibodies before they could be absorbed intact.

How does the composition of human colostrum differ from mature breast milk?

Colostrum is significantly higher in protein, immune factors (like IgA and leukocytes), and growth factors, but lower in fat and sugar compared to mature breast milk. This concentrated, easy-to-digest composition is perfectly suited for a newborn's first few days of life.

Is it safe for someone with a dairy allergy to consume bovine colostrum supplements?

No, bovine colostrum is not recommended for individuals with a cow's milk protein allergy because it contains both lactose and casein. Those with dairy allergies or intolerances should avoid these supplements to prevent allergic reactions or digestive issues.

Can a mother drink her own colostrum if she's sick to boost her immunity?

While it's safe, drinking your own colostrum won't provide an extra boost of immunity. The antibodies in your breast milk are already present in your bloodstream. Consuming breast milk benefits infants or can be used topically.

Are there any side effects to consuming colostrum as an adult?

When consuming bovine colostrum supplements, some adults may experience mild digestive discomfort, such as bloating, nausea, or diarrhea, especially when starting with higher doses. For a mother consuming her own colostrum, side effects are unlikely, but the risk of transferring pathogens exists if consuming another's milk.

How is colostrum for supplements sourced?

Colostrum supplements are typically sourced from bovine (cow) colostrum that is collected from dairy cows shortly after calving and processed into a powder or pill form. Ethical sourcing is a consideration for many, as it involves taking the surplus colostrum that is not needed by the calf.

Can men drink colostrum and experience benefits?

Yes, men can consume bovine colostrum supplements and may experience similar potential benefits related to immune and gut health, though research is mixed. A man drinking human colostrum would face the same lack of proven benefit and potential risks of consuming another person's bodily fluids as any other adult.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is not dangerous for a lactating mother to drink her own colostrum. However, it offers few proven health benefits for an adult and is best reserved for the infant who needs its concentrated nutrients and immune factors.

Some adults are curious about consuming colostrum to harness its perceived immune-boosting or gut-healing properties. This is largely driven by the marketing of bovine colostrum supplements and not by proven benefits from consuming human colostrum.

No, drinking your own colostrum will not significantly boost your immune system. The specific antibodies and immune factors are created within your body already, and your mature digestive system would break them down before they could have a measurable effect.

While both are rich in nutrients and antibodies, human colostrum is tailored for human infants, while bovine colostrum is for calves. There are differences in the specific antibody profiles and nutritional components, though many people use bovine colostrum supplements for potential health benefits.

Yes, men can safely consume bovine colostrum supplements. As with other adults, the potential benefits are primarily related to gut and immune health, though research is inconclusive. Consuming human colostrum from another person is not recommended due to health risks.

Yes, it is highly recommended to save and provide your colostrum for your baby. The small volume of colostrum is incredibly valuable for a newborn's health, providing crucial immune protection and preparing their digestive system.

Colostrum is an animal product but does not contain lactose, so it is safe for those with lactose intolerance. However, individuals with a milk protein allergy (casein or whey) should avoid bovine colostrum, as it contains these proteins.