CG Immunology of Breast Milk -

Immunology of Breast Milk

The protective effects of breast milk have been researched since the late 1800s. Research has shown babies who are fed breast milk get sick less often than babies who are not fed breast milk.^1,2,3,4,5

Antibodies

Breast milk has antibodies that help protect your baby’s body. During pregnancy, antibodies are passed to your baby through the placenta, providing protection from a variety of bacteria and viruses at birth. Breast milk is high in IgA, an immunoglobulin that helps protect the lining of your baby’s stomach, intestines, lungs, nose, mouth, and eyes. It does this by trapping harmful bacteria, viruses, and germs, preventing them from entering your baby’s bloodstream and making them sick. Research has shown that babies who are breastfed or provided breast milk have less diarrhea, lung infections, ear infections, urinary tract infections (such as bladder or kidney infections), and sepsis (severe illness) compared to babies who have not been fed breast milk.^1,2

How Does This Happen?

The development of antibodies is very specific to the environment we live in. You will develop antibodies for harmful bacteria, viruses and germs that are a part of your environment, and then, you will pass these antibodies on to your baby in your milk.¹ This is very important during your baby’s first months of life.¹

Other Helping Factors

In addition to antibodies, there are many other factors in breast milk that help fight off bacteria and viruses by stopping them from going into the intestine or other cells, decreasing nutrients harmful bacteria need to live, and attacking harmful bacteria and viruses directly.

Below are some of the other immune factors in breast milk:

Gut Microbiome/Healthy Gut Bacteria
- Your gut microbiome is a group of microorganisms that are necessary for a healthy immune system. If the gut microbiome is unbalanced, it can put someone at a greater risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.³
- Breast milk is a rich source of probiotics and prebiotics, necessary for developing healthy gut bacteria.³
- Babies who are breastfed or fed breast milk have high levels of helpful gut bacteria and tend to have a healthier gut microbiome than babies who are formula fed.³
Oligosaccharides
- Oligosaccharides are carbohydrates found in breast milk, and help develop a baby’s immune system, and fight off bacteria, viruses and infections.⁴
Lactoferrin
- Lactoferrin is a protein, and decreases inflammation and is an antioxidant which can help babies build their immune system and fight infection.⁵

What If I Have Questions?

If you are interested in learning more, these Aeroflow classes expand on some of the topics discussed above:

Birth & Breastfeeding
Ultimate Breastfeeding Prep

To register for these classes, log into your portal or click here.

Want More Info?

For a directory of Aeroflow’s other Care Guides offering information on pregnancy, baby care, and more, browse our comprehensive list of titles:

https://www.hersourcehealth.com/aeroflow-care-guides/ ‎

References: