7 protective elements in breast milk

Breast milk has many advantages to the infant , as nutritional and immunologic benefits which makes the mother's milk the first choice especially in the first 6 months of the baby's life . In this topic we will concentrate on the protective ( immunologic ) advantages of the breast milk:

 

1- Bifidus factor : 

This factor is oligosaccharide in nature present in the colostrum ( milk in the first 2-3 days from the mother's breast ) and mature milk ( milk from the mother's  breast after the first 2-3 weeks of lactation ) , this factor favors the growth of bacteria known as lactobacillus bifidus (intestinal flora responsible for acid production in the gut of the baby)  , this  acidic medium prevents the growth of bacteria so breast fed infants are less liable to diarrhea .

2- Intestinal growth  factor :

The factor stimulate the repair of the damaged intestinal cell , which occurs in diarrhea , so in breast fed infants healing  of the intestine is much more better . 

3- Lysosymes :

Enzyme that attach the cell wall of the bacteria , as in the first 2 years babies are more liable to bacterial infections .

4- Lymphocytes , macrophages and polymorphs :

These cells have role in phagocytosis of the infectious agents . 

5- Lactoferrin :

Iron binding protein increase the absorption and transport of iron to various body systems , and decrease its destruction by bacteria . 

6- Immunoglobulins : 

Immunoglobulins in general have protective role from any infection , the mother's milk contain a type ( secretory Ig A ) which protect the baby from respiratory tract infections . 

7- Decrease allergy : 

Breast milk decrease the risk of allergic disorders like type 1 diabetes , inflammatory bowel disease , hypertension  and obesity .

For disadvantages of breastfeeding