Dee,
A breastfeeding (at the breast) mother had heard what I had described and wanted to tell her family about the added advantage of feeding from the breast. She wanted something to back-up this information because her family is not supportive of BF and don't know why she doesn't just pump and bottle feed. Since I have heard this information also, and have seen it somewhat in the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, I thought it would be written somewhere else also, or someone here would have more information on this aspect of BF. 
 
page 358 in The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, 7th edition: "In other words, when baby comes into contact with a new germ all he has to do is pass it on to his mother, perhaps by nursing at her breast, and her body will manufacture antibodies to that germ and give them back to baby in her milk."
 
Thank you for your help,
Amy
 


4. antibodies breastmilk fed

Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2005 18:46:55 EST
From: Dee Kassing BS MLS IBCLC 
Subject: Re: antibodies breastmilk fed

Hello, Amy.
I don't know if there are any studies about what you ask, but I'd be 
surprised if anyone has studied it yet. However, I'm wondering why it's 
important? Breastmilk does contain antibodies, even if not specific to something 
the baby has caught--formula has NO antibodies. And, even if there is no 
saliva transfer at breast, mom will still be exposed to what the baby has, through 
close contact: kissing, wiping baby's nose, baby drooling or sneezing, etc. 
So if mom is exposed in any of these ways, her milk would soon have the 
antibodies anyway, even without saliva transfer at breast.
Dee 

Dee Kassing, BS, MLS, IBCLC, RLC 
Collinsville IL, in central USA






		
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