Maternal Milk and the Immune System

Breast-feeding ensures the development of the immune system of the baby, which is still incomplete.

By means of the maternal milk, in particular with the colostrum, the mother passes to the baby antibodies, white blood cells and other substances, such as lisozime and lactoferrin, which have important antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.

Maternal milk, moreover, contains other substances that “cement” intestinal cells, which makes them less permeable to toxic substances and infective agents.  In matter of fact, numerous epidemiological studies have shown that babies who are breast-fed are less sensitive to different types of illnesses, for example, gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, vomiting, otitis, infections of the lower breathing passages (bronchitis and bronchopneumonia), infections of the urinary passages and intolerance to gluten.  They are less exposed to allergies, bronchial asthma and eczemas (including nappy rashes) than bottle-fed babies are.

Because maternal milk is easy to digest, babies have fewer problems of flatulence and colic.  Finally, recent studies have shown that breast-feeding has a protective effect regarding cot death syndrome, diabetes, lymphomas and numerous chronic intestinal illnesses.

Maternal Milk and Intellectual Development

An American study has provided interesting conclusions as to why breast-fed babies show better intellectual development and higher visual skills.  This is probably due to the presence of appropriate quantities of long-chain polyunsaturated acid fats, also known as omega-3, in maternal milk.  These substances are structural constituents of the membranes of brain cells and the retina and apparently help the transmission of nerve stimuli between the cell of the nervous system, and inside the cells themselves.

Highly Digestible Food

Because the digestive capacity of the baby is very low, maternal milk is the only food that is perfectly tolerated and highly digestible.  The baby digests it immediately and assimilates it in approximately two hours, absorbing almost in their entirety proteins, sugar, fats and vitamins.  Breast-feeding also helps the intestinal function, reducing or preventing the emergence of constipation.

The Obstetrician Advises…..

Maternal milk is always ready and available at the ideal temperature, and it is very practical for the mother.  As it does not need to be prepared, it is free from the risk of contamination of germs or any errors that may occur during the preparation itself, and, therefore, it is safe for the baby.

Information supplied by the Chicco Observatory

The Chicco Observatory follows child development with the collaboration of mothers, doctors, expert paediatricians, children’s associations and nurseries to propose the ideal solution for each phase of its’ growth