During the first few weeks of life, an baby’s immune system is almost entirely dependent on the mother’s breast milk for immune protection from its environment. A study published earlier this year by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition stated that a healthy mother can have as many as 700 different beneficial bacteria species in her breast milk. This bacteria is one of the first ways that infants are introduced to microorganisms that build the foundation of a health digestive tract. Our digestive tract, or gut, is the center of 60-70% of our immune systems, and play a very important role in our overall health. The World Health Organization recommends at least six months of exclusive breastfeeding (as in no other foods or drinks but breast milk) to promote health. Exclusive breastfeeding is also crucial for food allergy prevention, and the nutritional committees from the American Academy of Pediatrics, European Society for Pediatric Allergology and Clinical Immunology, and the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition all recommend it for that reason. Many recommend mothers feed their children breast milk for 18 – 24 months as hypoallergenic food are introduced one at a time, starting at six months.
A Spanish study mapped out breast milk bacteria using DNA sequencing. These researchers noted that the first secretion of the mammary glands after giving birth, called colostrum, contains more than 700 species of beneficial microorganisms. Other research shows that breastfed infants have a more acidic environment in their gut during their first six weeks of life than formula fed infants. Within four days their guts can contain over 300% more bifidobacterium. This also means it will be naturally low in potentially harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Bacteroides, Clostridia, and Streptococci.
The study shows that the amount of beneficial bacteria present depends on the mothers health during and after pregnancy, and also the mode of delivery. Mothers with poor diets and habits had fewer helpful bacteria, as well as mothers who had a planned cesarean. Interestingly, mothers who had an unplanned cesarean had very similar milk composition as those who gave natural birth. This is leading researchers to believe that hormones released during labor influence the bacterial composition of a mother’s breast milk.
Immunity is also passed from mother to infant by breast milk. Mothers have antibodies built against various agents in her and her newborn’s immediate environment that she provides in her milk. A baby’s saliva actually communicates with the mother, changing the composition of the mother’s milk to suite the baby’s unique needs!
It is important to not overlook the immense bond between mother and child, one that can be strengthened by the act of breast feeding. The first tender years of childhood are inarguably the most important in establishing a healthy foundation for your child, both mentally and physically.
