How does breast milk help a sick baby?

The Healing Power of Breast Milk for Sick Babies
Breast milk is often hailed as nature’s perfect food for infants, but its benefits extend far beyond basic nutrition, especially when a baby is unwell. Recent research highlights how breast milk adapts to meet the specific needs of a sick baby, providing not just sustenance but also crucial immune support.
Adaptive Immunity in Action
When a baby falls ill, their body sends signals through saliva that communicate with the breastfeeding mother. This interaction prompts the mother’s body to produce milk that is rich in antibodies tailored to combat the specific pathogens affecting her child. This remarkable process means that each time a baby nurses, they receive a customized dose of immune-boosting components designed to help them fight off infections.
Nutritional and Immune Benefits
Breast milk is not only easy to digest but also packed with essential nutrients that are vital for a baby’s growth and development. It contains a perfect balance of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, all of which are crucial during times of illness when a baby may struggle to eat solid foods. Moreover, breast milk is rich in bioactive factors that enhance the infant’s immature immune system, providing a protective barrier against infections.
Antibacterial and Antiviral Properties
One of the standout features of breast milk is its inherent antibacterial and antiviral properties. These elements help lower the risk of various infections, including respiratory illnesses and gastrointestinal issues, which are particularly concerning for sick infants . The presence of these protective factors means that breastfeeding can significantly reduce the likelihood of complications during illness, allowing for a quicker recovery.
Continued Breastfeeding During Illness
For mothers who are sick, continuing to breastfeed is not only safe but beneficial. While the mother’s body fights off the illness, it simultaneously produces antibodies that are transferred to the baby through breast milk. This not only helps protect the baby from the mother’s illness but also strengthens their immune response. Health organizations, including UNICEF, advocate for continued breastfeeding during maternal illness, emphasizing that it helps maintain milk supply and provides ongoing protection for the baby.
Conclusion: A Lifeline for Sick Infants
In summary, breast milk serves as a powerful ally for sick babies, offering tailored immune support, essential nutrients, and protective properties that can significantly aid in their recovery. The dynamic nature of breast milk, adapting to the health needs of both mother and child, underscores its unparalleled role in infant health. For parents navigating the challenges of a sick child, the benefits of breastfeeding are clear: it is not just food; it is a lifeline.

Does breastmilk help babies fight viruses?

Breast milk supports your baby’s health because it: Is easy for their immature tummy and intestines to digest. Contains antibodies that protect against infection and boost immunity.

What is the 5 5 5 rule for breast milk?

Something I recommend to moms is the 5-5-5 rule. Try and use milk within five hours at room temperature, five days in the fridge, and by five months in the freezer.

Can breast milk help baby congestion?

Breast milk in the nose
Some people feel that putting breast milk in a baby’s nose works just as well as saline drops to soften mucus. Carefully put a little milk right into your baby’s nose while feeding. When you sit them up after eating, the mucus will likely slide right out.

Does breastmilk protect against RSV?

There have been many efforts to find out which could protect infants from the sequelae or mortality by RSV. Human milk feeding was proved to be one of the effective protectors. Nishimura et al. [13]. reported that breastfeeding could reduce the severity of RSV infection among the young infants via multicenter study.

Does breastmilk lose nutrients when pumped?

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), freshly expressed breast milk can be safely kept at room temperature (77°F or colder) for up to 4 hours. Generally, when freshly pumped, breast milk is at its peak regarding nutrients.

Does breastfeeding speed up recovery?

Breastfeeding allows your body to recover from pregnancy and childbirth more quickly. The hormones released when you breastfeed help your uterus shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size.

Does breast milk help a baby when sick?

Breast milk is easily digested, so chances are your little one will still get many of the nutrients, even if he or she vomits soon after eating. Breastfeeding is a comforting and soothing behavior for babies, so it’s all the more important when they’re sick.

Do breast milk babies get sick less?

Breastfed babies have fewer infections and hospitalizations than formula-fed infants. During breastfeeding, antibodies and other germ-fighting factors pass from a mother to her baby and strengthen the immune system. This helps lower a baby’s chances of getting many infections, including: ear infections.

What is the 120 pumping rule?

The first 12 weeks of your breastfeeding journey requires frequent breastmilk removal, stimulating healthy milk production. Studies show moms who exclusively pump for a minimum of 120 minutes per day can make enough to feed their babies primarily breastmilk.

Are breastfed babies less likely to get RSV?

Infants receiving (exclusive or partial) maternal milk had lower risk of RSV bronchiolitis. Partial breastfeeding reduces risk of hospitalisation.