For centuries breast milk has been the only food for newborn infants and is the most natural way of providing infants with their nutritional requirements for the first four to six months of life. Breast milk is a complete food for an infant and no other milk or food can substitute it. Somewhere along the line women, doctors and the society at large were persuaded to believe that tinned milk was as good as breast milk and came to acquire the status of all that is good for the infant and resulted in a decline in breastfeeding even among the poorer sections of the society. In order to protect and promote breastfeeding, every year, August 1 to 7 is celebrated as ‘World Breast Feeding Week’.
A mother’s milk is a fascinating fluid that supplies babies with more than nutrition as it is rich in immunological factors that actively helps the newborn to avoid disease in a variety of ways. Its nutritional composition of supports the gut microflora which plays an essential role in enhancing the immunity of infants. Studies have shown that breastfed infants have a lower risk of developing psoriasis, colic, eczema, asthma, allergies and diarrhoeal disease, ear infections like otitis media, urinary tract infections as well as diabetes.
Breast milk contains antibodies, live cells and lysozymes that protect against many common infections. It also contains an anti viral substance, Interferon. Breastfed babies suffer less from digestive and intestinal disorders. Breastfeeding also reduces the risk of Necrotizing Enterocolitis–a life-threatening intestinal infection, especially in premature infants.
It contains a nitrogen containing carbohydrate called Bifidus Factor, which along with lactose promotes the growth of a special type of bacteria called Lactobacillus bifidus (Bifido bacteria)that has an “intestinal guardian” function, preventing the growth of undesirable and harmful bacteria. Bifidus factor is present in very high concentrations in colostrum.
Lactoferrin present in breast milk is a powerful bacteriostatic that binds free iron thereby rendering it unavailable for the growth of harmful bacteria particularly E-coli and at the same time allowing the iron to be absorbed. Lactoferrin is also effective against Candida albicans. It also contains lipases that help kill amoeba and giardia.
Breast milk contains “live milk cells” that appear to assist in repelling infection both in mammary lacteals and in the baby’s intestinal tract. It also contains growth factors that help in the growth and development of the intestines of the infant in order to digest and absorb other foods.
(The writer is a consultant nutritionist with 27 years of experience)
