Linda F. Palmer refers to the enteromammary axis, I assume in response to the query about references for the transfer of antigens FROM baby TO mother via baby's saliva at mother's nipple. Only, the enteromammary axis is what is responsible for getting maternal antibodies produced in response to antigens in the mother's gut transported to the breast so they will be secreted in milk. If I remember correctly there is a similar mechanism for antibodies to antigens in the maternal respiratory tract to get into her milk. Like the person who posted the query, I have not seen any research to suggest that antigens from the baby's oral cavity enter the maternal gut primarily by way of the maternal nipple. Neither anatomy nor physiology support this idea; it seems more likely that the close contact between mother and baby which is necessary in order to breastfeed, ensures that whatever the baby is exposed to will be available to the mother's respiratory and digestive tracts. There are about a thousand other reasons to feed babies at the breast rather than express milk and feed it by other means. When those means are not possible, whether because of outright inability to feed at breast or mother's choice, then expressed milk from the baby's own mother is incontrovertibly the next best option. People who are not satisfied that breastfeeding is the normal way to nourish a human baby in the face of all those reasons will probably not be convinced by one more minuscule piece of information, even if we can find specific research to support it. Rachel Myr Kristiansand, Norway *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html