According to Lars A. Hanson in 'Immunobiology of Human Milk: How
Breastfeeding Protects Babies', it seems that the maternal secretory IgA
indeed works locally in the baby's gut, in accordance with what the author
of the Slate.com article wrote.  But on pages 104-105 of the book, Hanson
describes what happens to maternal lymphocytes secreted in milk.  'Several
experimental studies indicate that these maternal cells can be absorbed by
the breastfed offspring.'  He goes on to postulate that the cells themselves
may convey information to the infant about how to produce antibodies to
specific pathogens.
It seems to me that if a whole big lymphocyte could enter the baby's
bloodstream from the gut, it wouldn't need a huge leap of faith to believe
that a teensy weensy little antibody could do so.  
To sum up: the Slate author may be correct, that maternal serum antibodies
don't pass over into the baby.  But that the rest of the package in human
milk intended for the development of the baby's immune system is
unimportant, is incorrect.

BTW there are lots of references in the book about diarrhea and lack of
breastfeeding.

Rachel Myr
Kristiansand, Norway

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