Breastfeeding a newborn child provides it with
the most protection against infections, allergy and diseases which
undermine the immune system, both during and later in life.
Studies by the Department of Clinical Immunology
in Sweden examined cases in England, France, Germany, and Spain. The
researchers found that human milk significantly improved the child’s
immune system by protecting it against infections, helped it to produce
specific antibodies and encouraged growth of certain types of ‘good
bacteria’, such as lactoferrin.
A number of positive and striking factors were
observed in the children during breastfeeding. They experienced a
reduction in acute or prolonged diarrhoea, respiratory tract infections,
otitis media, urinary tract infection, neonatal septicemia. Evidence also
points to enhanced protection remaining for years after breastfeeding
against diarrhoea, respiratory tract infections, otitis media, Haemophilus
influenzae type b infections, and wheezing illness.
Protection was also noted to improve if the
breastfeeding was carried out for longer. Since breastfeeding provided
such an active and natural stimulation of the infant's immune, this may
explain why it also improved protection against immunologic diseases like
coeliac disease and possibly allergy.
As well as providing passive protection against
infection during breastfeeding, it also has the unique capacity of
positively stimulating the immune system, ensuring the child receives the
most natural and long lasting immunity.
