Heather it's not possible to put a finite quantity on when breastmilk
benefits kick in. For example, a newborn who receives maybe 1oz (or less)
in the first couple of days of life is receiving immeasurable benefits from
the antiinfective components, which are concentrated in that volume, but
also from the growth factors such as epidermal growth factor and many more.
As a breastfed baby weans and breastmilk production decreases the
concentration of IgA increases so that weaning milk is very colostrum-like
and the baby/child still continues to receive the valuable antiinfective
properties despite receiving less and less breastmilk.
It is "worth it" to continue to breastfeed, or give the breastmilk another
way, until there is no more to give.

Denise

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Denise Fisher MMP, IBCLC
BreastEd Online Lactation Studies
http://www.health-e-learning.com

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