I have often thought that the mother's ability to produce antibodies in
response to pathogens in the baby's environment is one of the most amazing
aspects of breastfeeding. It is certainly one that will never be duplicated
by formula.
We discussed this on Lactnet back in September of 2000 and I learned a great
deal about it at the time. There were several excellent references for the
process (though none documenting the breast being the entry point for
pathogens), including Pat Young who wrote, "Page 160 of newest Lawrence,c.
1999 describes the whole process of GALT, MALT, BALT etc. It is the mammary
glands that are reacting to the stimulus, producing the antibodies. Sounds
complicated and system is only "implied" from knowing how other parts of
the same system works. (If I read it right.)"
In addition, Catherine Fetherston wrote that "There are probably more
current references describing the thread of autoimmunisation that is being
discussed (Armond Goldman has numerous and current publications in this
area), however I do have a reference that you might find answers some of
your queries, as it outlines the evidence suggesting that GALT, lacrimal,
salivary glands, BALT, tonsils and the mammary gland are linked together
into a network of shared immunological response. Slade, H.B. & Schwartz,
S.A. 1987. Mucosal Immunity: The immunology of breast milk. Journal of
Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 80: 346-56."
Jack Newman's article, "How Breastmilk Affects Newborns" was cited from
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN December 1995 Volume 273 Number 6 Page 76. This article
is available on Cindy Curtis' website.
I think one of my favorite responses was given by Laurie Wheeler who wrote
(on Sep 17, 2000), "From what I have read, I have not seen anything about
directly "inoculating" the breast with the germs. Rather, the mother
"breathes in" her baby with inhales and smelling him (bronchomammary
pathway) and "eats him up" with kisses and finger sucks etc (enteromammary
pathway) so that these mucosal surfaces (along the respiratory and GI
tracts) get "inoculated" with baby's germs AND THEN the breast (on site)
gets the message to make antibodies. Formula fed babies don't get this
because they are not taking breastmilk. Babies eating expressed ebm should
get this benefit IF THE MOM IS BREATHING HIM IN AND EATING HIM UP :) I would
think cosleeping would help immensely too."
Laurie's words have reminded me over and over to tell moms how important it
is for them to kiss their babies anytime, anywhere! I tell moms who are
separated from their babies due to working or other reasons to spend time in
their baby's caretaker's environment so they will be exposed to the same
pathogens as their babies.
Sara Dodder Furr
LLLL in Nebraska
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