Breast is best also refers to immunity benefits. Immunity is the term used to describe one’s ability to fight off illnesses we get and/or are exposed to. Not only are you able to give your child antibodies (the proteins that fight against illness - they are based on what the mother has been exposed to and fights) but there is also a very useful component that most people don't know too much about: lactoferrin.
Lactoferrin, like transferrin (in red blood cells), carries iron. Bacteria need iron to reproduce. And bacteria that are reproducing are far more likely to cause problems. Problems like infection. So lactoferrin can essentially hide any free / extra iron and keep it away from bacteria so that they can't grow (bacteriostatic action).
Research has also discovered that the immune response is activated by lactoferrin. This means your baby gets more than a double shot of immunity just by eating your breast milk. Lactoferrin levels are especially high in colostrum (the first milk that emerges after labour). I assume this is to give your little one the best immunological chance possible – and thank you nature!
Reposted from You Get Well Soon Inc. with modifications
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