Breast milk is the best food for the baby during its first six months of life, due to the long list of benefits it provides. Although the list is long, more and more reasons are being discovered every day to continue choosing it as your main food.
A recent study, for example, has found that breast milk improves a baby’s immunity, providing long-lasting antibodies that protect against infectious gastrointestinal diseases .
The study
Published this month in the journal Science Immunology , this new research confirms once again that the functions of breast milk are not only limited to nourishing and nourishing the baby , but also to improve their health and immune system.
We know from various studies (the most recent related to Covid), that the antibodies of mothers vaccinated against a specific bacteria or virus can be transferred through breast milk to babies, providing immunity against certain diseases.
In this case, the study found that a specific set of antibodies, which are naturally induced by beneficial gut bacteria, can be transferred from mothers to babies through breast milk and help babies defend against infection-induced diarrheal illnesses, such as stomach flu.
Gastroenteritis is one of the reasons why parents frequently take their babies to the pediatrician, and in some developing countries they are one of the most frequent causes of infant mortality.
With these studies, the list of benefits provided by breastfeeding for mother and baby continues to be lengthened, which, as we have previously mentioned, works as a first protective shield and strengthens their immune system .
Photo | Wendy Wei and Pexels
