Human milk is a very complex living fluid. Researchers continue to discover new elements. Here are just some of the complex beneficial factors that breastfed babies receive, which are not in artificial milk.
Transfer Factors help the baby to absorb nutrients. Lactoferrin is just one, and it helps the baby absorb iron. It also absorbs excess iron, which is great, because bacteria feed on iron. Babies get all the iron they need from breastmilk, which only needs to contain a small amount. There is no lactoferrin in artificial milks, so extra iron is added to them (which the manufacturers shout about in their adverts for follow on milk) but without lactoferrin the baby absorbs much less and the excess encourages bacterial growth...and artificial milk is not sterile, and not manufactured in a sterile environment either.
Bifidus Factor encourages the growth of lactobacillus bifidus, creating an acidic environment in the gut. Bacteria prefer an alkaline environment, so this discourages bacterial growth.
Enzymes to aid digestion. Many are bacteriocidal, ie they kill bacteria
Hormones, supporting babies' immature systems to cope with life outside the womb. Epidermal growth factor helps the gut to mature and become more resistant to pathogens.
Immunoglobulins three types
1.Antibodies against infections the mother has previously had.
2.Secretory Immunoglobulin A which seals the lining of the gut, sometimes called 'white paint'
3.Gut Associated Lymphatic Tissue and Bronchus Associated lymphatic tissue this system detects bacteria and viruses in the mother's gastric or bronchial tract and manufactures antibodies in response to them, sending this protection directly to the baby via the breastfmilk. A. Mazing.
Living White Blood Cells these are made in response to any infection that the mother is exposed to
Viral Fragments thought to trigger the baby's own immature immune system, so that every feed is like a mini-immunisation. There is evidence that breastfed babies have a better response to the immunisations they receive in infancy, and this may be because the viral fragments have primed their immune systems.
Oligosaccharides simple carbohydrates that prevent pathogens from sticking to the gut wall. Interestingly, these sugars cannot be digested by the baby's gut...they are intended as food (prebiotics) for the good gut bacteria (probiotics) which help to 'train' the baby's immune system. The system learns which is the good and bad bacteria. At this stage, the immune system is still a work in progress, and is being primed by the breastmilk.
Anti inflammatory molecules help to reduce inflammation in the gut in response to pathogens. This may well be the factor responsible for protecting breastfed infants against necrotising enterocolitis.
As well as these elements, breast milk contains many others whose role is not understood, like stem cells. What is clear is that breast milk is unlikely to ever be satisfactorily replicated in a labroratory.
Source UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative breastfeeding management
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