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Breastfeeding Benefits Your Baby’s Immune System

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By: Claire McCarthy, MD, FAAP

Breast milk is the food naturally designed to best meet the needs of human babies. It has all the necessary nutrients, in just the right amounts, and is easy to digest. Beyond the nutritional benefits, here's a great bonus: Breast milk also helps build and support your baby's immune system. Read on to learn how.

Breast milk: food & infection fighter

Breast milk contains antibodies that can fight infection. Those antibodies are present in high amounts in colostrum, the first milk that comes out of the breasts after birth. However, there are antibodies in breastmilk the entire time a mother continues to nurse. Through these antibodies, the mother can pass on some protection from infectious illness she had in the past, and those she gets while breastfeeding. Breast milk can literally give babies a head start in preventing and fighting infections.

Breast milk also is made up of other proteins, fats, sugars and even white blood cells that work to fight infection in many different ways. They are especially helpful in fighting gastrointestinal infections, since breast milk heads right to the stomach and intestine when your baby eats. The different factors in breast milk work directly within the intestine before being absorbed and reaching the entire body. This also sets the stage for a protective and balanced immune system that helps recognize and fight infections and other diseases even after breastfeeding ends.

Other factors in breast milk directly stimulate and support the immune system. These include lactoferrin and interleukin-6, -8 and -10. These proteins help to balance the immune system inflammatory response, which is needed for immune function but can be damaging in excess.

There's even evidence that nursing mothers who are vaccinated against COVID-19 can pass along antibodies to the virus through breast milk. Although it's not proven, these antibodies may help protect babies too young for the vaccine. (See Breastfeeding During the COVID-19 Pandemic.")

Is breastmilk probiotic?

Breast milk has "probiotic" factors, too. Some support the immune system and others serve as a nutrient source for healthy bacteria in the body, called the human microbiome. The healthy microbiome can play a lifelong role in not only preventing infection, but also in decreasing the risk of allergies, asthma, obesity and other chronic diseases.

With all these immunity-boosting factors in breast milk, it is not surprising that breastfed babies are less likely to suffer from ear infections, vomiting, diarrhea, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and certain types of meningitis. Research also shows that children who nurse for more than six months are less likely to develop childhood leukemia and lymphoma than those who receive formula. This may be in part because these types of cancer are affected by disruptions to the immune system.

Remember

To help keep babies healthy, communities can take steps to support mothers who choose to breastfeed their babies. This can include offering paid leave and giving employees places and time to pump breast milk. If you're breastfeeding your baby or have any questions, never hesitate to talk with your pediatrician. If you can't breastfeed, or for personal reasons choose not to, talk to your pediatrician about the many other ways to support your baby's health.

More information

• Breastfeeding: AAP Policy Explained
• Breastfeeding During the COVID-19 Pandemic
  

About Dr. McCarthy

Claire McCarthy, MD, FAAP is a primary care pediatrician at Boston Children's Hospital, an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, a senior editor for Harvard Health Publications, and an official spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics. She writes about health and parenting for the Harvard Health Blog, Huffington Post and many other online and print publications.

Last Updated

7/19/2022

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics (Copyright © 2020)

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.

Nutritional Boost – Baby Booster Prenatal Protein Supplements

Pregnant Women Have Cracked The Nutritional “Code” To Boosting Their Baby’s IQ In The Womb 

Posted by
Charlotte

Published
Feb. 19, 2022

Reading Time
4 Minute Read

Everyday, we rub our growing baby bumps to the point it becomes second nature. At times like these (and all other times, let’s be real), we ponder who our future children growing inside us will become.

Whether you wonder about their future profession…

“A doctor? An astronaut? The President of the United States?”

Or qualities of their personality…

“Will my child be kind? Will they be brave?”

We can’t escape thinking about the troubling side of things, as well. Thoughts may permeate your mind that may leave you feeling guilty.

“What if something is wrong with my baby? What if my child isn’t smart?”

First and foremost - don’t feel guilty! You’re not alone in having these thoughts, and they’re a normal part of being a pregnant mother.

Every new mom wants a healthy, smart baby. And the most important piece to ensuring this is proper nutrition!

What You Should Be Eating While Pregnant

Ensuring you’re getting enough nutrients like protein, folate, and DHA while you’re pregnant is vital for both you and your growing baby. And certain foods are especially important to eat to give your baby the best start possible.

On your first visit, your doctor more than likely went over a list of foods that are beneficial for nourishing you and your baby. In addition to drinking plenty of water, below is a list of what your doctor most likely recommended and why:

Dairy (particularly Greek yogurt)

Dairy gives you protein, calcium, and Vitamin D. During pregnancy, your growing baby will leach calcium from your body, which can weaken your bones.

Legumes

Legumes are rich in folates, another essential for your baby’s best development.

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes have vitamin A which is necessary for cell growth. 

Eggs

Eggs are full of protein, the basic building blocks of a growing baby.  

Leafy greens 

Greens of the leafy variety have all the key vitamins you need, including but not limited to Vitamin A, Vitamin C, folate, fiber, and more!

Whole grains

Whole grains contain fiber, which promotes a healthy digestive tract and reduces the risk of preeclampsia. 

Avocados 

Not only are they delicious - avocados are full of good heart-healthy fats. 

As you can see from the above chart, there are lots of foods that promote overall good health for you and your growing baby.

Above all of these foods though, there is one “superfood” experts have touted that can help boost the brain power of babies: fatty fish. 

Fatty fish contains DHA, an important long-chain omega-3 fatty acid that has been shown to lead to an increase of IQ by 8 points before birth.

So, if you want a smarter baby, you need to eat more fish… right?

The Trouble With Eating Fish During Pregnancy

One of the biggest dilemmas for expectant moms is whether or not to eat fish.

Current expert guidelines suggest women intake low-mercury fish twice per week for the benefits of DHA.

But here’s the problem with that…

While fish contains DHA, due to environmental pollution it also contains mercury. Some studies have shown mercury may reduce a baby’s IQ by as many as 8 points before birth.

Research has shown most fish species have enough of the substance to pose an adverse effect on IQ scores - to the point that it “exceeded the beneficial effects of DHA.” 

There isn’t much data around the damaging effects of mercury exposure when sticking within the twice per week guidelines, but let’s be real…

Do you really want to ingest mercury?

On the other side of things, not getting DHA to your growing baby has serious repercussions too.

So if your baby needs DHA for proper brain development but mercury levels may restrict this growth, what can you do?

Fortunately, there’s one simple trick you can use to boost your baby’s IQ without the dangers of mercury!

Safe, Brain-Boosting Power For Your Baby

Thankfully, there’s no need to put yourself and your baby at risk!

A lot of research exists today around DHA derived from microalgae, and how it can serve as a replacement for DHA derived from mercury-contaminated fish.

That’s why Baby Booster uses life’sDHA® in their protein shakes! Derived from microalgae, this DHA gives your baby the brain boosting power they need without the risk of harm.

Plus, Baby Booster’s shakes contain a packed house of pregnancy-safe ingredients and nutrients like protein and folate to help your baby develop safe and healthy.

And if you weren’t really a fan of eating fish before, you’ll be happy to know Baby Booster comes in four heavenly flavors: Tahitian Vanilla, Kona Mocha, Salty Caramel, and Creamy Strawberry.  

Customer Reviews

Best shakes for pregnancy and breast feeding

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Love it!

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Delicious!

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Prenatal Nutrition For A Healthier Pregnancy

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