Secretory IgA in Breast Milk
Secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) is the main antibody found in breast milk, and it’s considered the most important one. Babies are born with low levels of IgA. As they grow, their immune system makes more IgA and their levels slowly rise. But when a baby breastfeeds, they get high levels of IgA from breast milk.
Other Immunoglobulins
Besides IgA, there are four other types of immunoglobulins in breast milk: IgE, IgG, IgM, and IgD. Colostrum, the first breast milk, has very high levels of immunoglobulins, especially IgA. These antibodies fight off illness and infection, but they also protect against allergies, eczema, and wheezing, especially for infants who have a family history of allergies. As your breast milk changes from colostrum to transitional milk and finally to mature breast milk, the concentrations of immunoglobulins change. However, even if you breastfeed for a year or longer, these immune properties can still be found in your breast milk. Immunoglobins will continue to protect your child for as long as they breastfeed. And your child will continue to benefit from the immune-boosting substances in your breast milk long after breastfeeding has ended. While we do not know everything that these immunoglobulins do, we are learning more and more about them all the time. And while it is safe and nutritious, infant formula cannot duplicate these properties of breast milk.
Benefits for Premature Babies
A premature baby’s immune system is not as strong as the immune system of a full-term baby. Preemies are at greater risk of getting infections, and have a harder time dealing with them than full-term infants. That’s why breast milk is so important for premature babies. The antibodies in breast milk will help your preemie to fight off bacterial and viral infections.
Benefits for Babies in Day Care
Babies who are cared for in a group setting can benefit from breast milk. The antibodies in the breast milk that you pump for your child can help protect them from many of the common childhood illnesses that can be easily picked up in a childcare setting.
Pumping and Storing Breast Milk
When you pump your breast milk, some of the bacteria and germs on your skin can get into your breast milk storage container along with your breast milk. The immune factors in breast milk help to prevent this bacteria from growing and causing your baby to become ill. If you pump, it’s ideal to give your baby fresh breast milk. However, that’s not always realistic. So it’s important to follow the safety guidelines for the collection and storage of breast milk.
Breast milk stored in the refrigerator maintains most of its immune properties. Heating breast milk at high temperatures (especially in the microwave—which is not recommended anyway), can destroy the antibodies and other immune factors in your breast milk. When you freeze breast milk, it loses some of its healthy immune factors, but not all.
When You or Your Baby Are Sick
If you catch a cold or develop an illness while you’re breastfeeding, you can usually continue to breastfeed. Breastfeeding through most of the common illnesses is safe. By the time you realize you’re sick, it’s likely that your baby has already been exposed to your illness. As you continue to breastfeed, you pass the antibodies that your body is making to fight off your illness to your baby through your breast milk. Your child may be able to fight the illness easier or may not even catch it. If your baby is sick, the antibodies in your breast milk will help your baby to fight off the illness or infection they have developed. In addition to antibodies, breast milk provides nutrition, fluids, and comfort to sick children.
The Immune System and Vaccination
While breast milk provides your baby with important immune protection, it does not protect your baby from all the diseases that they may come into contact with during their lifetime. And many dangerous and deadly illnesses are preventable through childhood immunizations. Vaccination is safe and vital to your child’s health. Vaccines save millions of lives each year. Misinformation leads some people to question their efficacy, but these beliefs are not backed by credible research. If you have any questions or concerns about your baby’s health, breastfeeding, or vaccinations, discuss them with your child’s healthcare provider. Your baby’s doctor will provide you with a schedule of recommended vaccines for your child at each developmental stage.
