The unique protection that breast milk gives babies is born from the symbiotic relationships between its different components and the interaction between them and the newborn, which makes each breastfeeding unique.
This food strengthens babies' immune systems and prevents infections, according to researchers and medical speakers at the XIV International Breastfeeding Symposium organized by Medela.
According to their conclusions, investigating these interactions would clarify the role of breast milk, for example, in the prevention of allergies.
Breast milk components
According to the participants in the symposium, researchers from around the world on breastfeeding issues, the molecules that make up breast milk do not work individually, but together, to create symbiotic relationships that meet the needs of each child.
This system of interactions is responsible for the ability of breast milk to strengthen the baby's immune system and stop infections. Enhancing the investigation of the components of breast milk as a whole would explain the mechanism behind the benefits for newborns.
Interaction of milk with the newborn
In the symbiotic relationships between the different components of breast milk, the interaction between the mother and the newborn must also be taken into account, that is, how the components of breast milk act in the baby's organism.
All this makes each breastfeeding unique, so experts demand more research to define these complex interactions and identify how the immunological components of breast milk act.
You also have to clarify what environmental factors can affect the proper development of the baby's defense system. The researchers agree that there is still a long way to discover the full potential of breastfeeding.
The role of milk in allergies
One of the most effective research branches in the study of the baby's immune system is that which seeks to identify the role of breast milk in the protection against allergies.
Until now The potential of breast milk to prevent allergies is known, but not its mechanism of action.
In Babies and more How to extract and preserve breast milkDaniel Munblit, associate professor at the Sechenov State University of Medicine (Russia), insisted during the symposium on the importance of expanding research in this field, studying the interrelation between the different components of breast milk involved.
According to the expert, the goal is to study a large set of biomarkers instead of small groups or each independently:
“The components of breast milk continually establish symbiotic relationships, working together, or antagonistic, nullifying the effects of the opposite. It is these intricate interactions, which we are close to discovering, that play a key role in breastfeeding's ability to protect newborns from allergies. ”
The role of breast milk in premature babies
Dr. Daniel Klotz, from the University of Freiburg (Germany), insisted on the importance of involving the staff of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in breastfeeding mothers, facilitating the feeding of premature babies with breast milk. This position is reinforced by the strong potential of colostrum in the prevention of chronic diseases.
In Babies and more This changes the composition of breast milk when the baby is born premature: amazing!In turn, Dr. Janet Berrington of the Brunel University of London, has stressed the importance of the nutrition of premature babies, since it directly influences the risk of infections, the possible development of chronic diseases, food intolerances, as well as in the development of subsequent problems, such as obesity or asthma. Therefore, he believes that it is very important to reconcile in the NICUs the mother's milk with the feeding by means of a probe.
Savings in health costs
It was another issue that was addressed in this symposium, which specifically spoke of the United Kingdom, where it was held.
Dr. Subhash Pokhrel, from Brunel University in London, said that if 80% of mothers in their country breastfed their children for at least six months, the health system would save 40 million pounds annually:
“We know with certainty that, in developed countries, eight out of ten women begin breastfeeding after childbirth. The problem is that he leaves it one to six weeks later. In the United Kingdom, only 1% of mothers continue breastfeeding for six months. ”
Leaving economic figures aside, what is undeniable is the important role that breast milk plays in the development and protection of the newborn and the baby. There is no more complete food and, as recommended by the World Health Organization, it should be the excuse for at least the first six months of the baby's life.
But it is also true that, whenever the mother can or will, and that the woman who feeds her child should not be treated with adapted milk, because vada one chooses what he thinks is best for his son. So since respect, doctors from neonatal Units around the world have given us even more reasons to bet on breast milk.
Photos | iStock
