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80% of breast milk is made up of immune cells.

This post is about nothing other than taking a moment to recognize how truly amazing breast milk is.
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The first week or so after a baby is born, they receive colostrum in their mother’s milk. 80% of this milk is made up of macrophages (very important immune cells). This “first milk” protects the infact from illness with its protein and antibodies from mama’s immune system. It also acts as a laxative to help babies move their first stools, and contains high levels of nutrients to further protect the baby and help them continue developing the heart, brain and central nervous system.
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‘“Often referred to as “whole blood,” milk contains a range of antibodies to protect the infact against pathogens. These antibodies are specific to the flora and antigens of the mother. Maternal antibodies derived from her gut and respiratory immune surveillance systems are transported to the mammary gland. In this way, the baby receives immune factors to protect him against the antigens of the mother.’ — Dr. Thomas Cowan & Sally Fallon
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These factors have a component that protects them from a baby’s stomach acid to ensure they reach their small intestine.
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Other immune-enhancing and generally protective components in milk include:
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〰️Lactoferrin: binds to iron so that it doesn’t feed pathogenic bacteria
〰️Lysozyme: enhances the anti-bacterial activity of immunoglobulins
〰️Mucins: bind to bacteria and viruses, and eliminate them from the body
〰️Interferon: has antiviral properties
〰️Fibronectin: has antiviral properties
〰️Leukocytes: help build the immune system
〰️And many others!
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Pretty amazing, right? It’s hard to imagine that this superfood — breastmilk — wouldn’t have anything to do with developing a baby’s immune system.
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Of course, not all moms have the privilege to breastfeed — and that’s okay. There are plenty of great recipes for homemade breast milk alternatives online.
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In short, mama, your body is amazing. Give yourself a pat on the back!

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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.

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References

Ichikawa, M. Sugita, M. Takahashi, M. Satomi, M. Takeshita, T. Araki, T. Takahashi, H. (2003). Breast milk macrophages spontaneously produce granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor and differentiate into dendritic cells in the presence of exogenous interleukin-4 alone. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1782879/#:~:text=Breast%20milk%20is%20unique%20among,a%20large%20number%20of%20macrophages.&text=These%20mononuclear%20phagocytes%20comprise%20up,even%20in%20the%20recipient%20infant..

Fallon, S. Cowan, T.S. (2013, 2015). The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby and Child Care. Washington, D.C.: NewTrends Publishing.

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Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. While the owner of this website tries to keep the information up to date, there may be things that are out-of-date and out of their control.