Abstract
Human milk contains numerous components like antibodies, cytokines, hormones, enzymes, and major proteins like lactoferrin and α-lactalbumin with multiple activities (microbicidal, tumoricidal, anti-inflammatory). Waiting for its own immune system to take over its host defense, the infant needs help from the mother. In higher animals such as humans and monkeys, this is partially handled by the active transplacental transfer of IgG antibodies via the Brambell receptor, an Fc receptor called Fcn. Breastfeeding brings nutritional, developmental, and anti-infectious advantages to the infant. Breastfeeding confers significant protection against numerous infections like—acute and prolonged diarrhea, neonatal septicemia, respiratory tract infections, acute and recurrent otitis media, and urinary tract infections. Breastfeeding actively directs the immune system of the offspring. This effect may occur via the uptake of lymphocytes—both T and B cells, and possibly via anti-idiotypic antibodies and cytokines from the milk. As a consequence, vaccine responses and host defense against infections like diarrhea, respiratory tract infections, and otitis media is enhanced.
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