As with all other organs and systems in the body, a newborn is not born with a fully developed immune system at birth. Rather, their immunity - a protective function consisting of cells, proteins, and organs - grows and strengthens with time, striving with each new day to keep them safe from the multitude of pathogens that they encounter in their environments.
At birth, a baby’s immune system is still quite weak and sensitive. Given its fragility, nature has compensated for this by endowing mothers with the ability to transfer their immunity onto their baby (called passive immunity) by way of antibodies through breast milk. A mother’s breast milk is filled with protective immunoglobulins that work to fight off bacteria and viruses that could be harmful to it. This supports the fact that breastfed babies get sicker much less than formula-fed babies.
Immunglogulins survive the digestive tract because they are packaged within a protective substance that allows them to survive the stomach environment and get to the intestinal tract at which point they adhere to the lining or are absorbed. By remaining in the digestive tract immunglobulins help to prevent the growth of bacteria that can be dangerous to a baby’s health.
Interestingly, during pregnancy a mother also passes on helpful antibodies –particularly IgG through the placenta which remain with baby for the first few months of life. From colostrum – mother’s first milk – onwards, breast milk is filled with highly beneficial antibodies that a mother’s own body has developed in response to her region’s specific pathogens.
Strategies to Boost Baby’s Immunity
- Breastfeed for as long as possible
- Keep baby away from sick individuals
- Ensure clean hands when dealing with newborns
- Ensure the breastfeeding mom is eating a healthy diet
- Ensure adequate exposure to sunlight or vitamin D
