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Imagine
Your Kids with Vibrant Health and Natural
Vitality!
Boost and Strengthen their
Immune System the Natural Way!
Super Healthy Kids is a comprehensive e-book
(you can get a printed paperback version as
well) about what you can do to strengthen
your kids health and boost their immune system
to prevent disease and create increased vibrant
health and vitality...read
more...
Breastfeeding for a Strong Immune System
By Jane Sheppard
Benefits of Breastfeeding
for the Developing Immune System
The importance of breastfeeding cannot be
overstated in building a strong immune system.
Breastmilk is much more than food. In addition
to providing the absolute best nutrition for
a growing body, breastmilk supplies the factors
needed to develop the immune system and protect
your baby against disease. Breastfeeding also
adds the loving touch and comfort that is
crucial to the growth and well being of your
baby.
Developing a Healthy Immune
System
Although they have some antibodies from the
placenta of their mother, newborns enter
the world largely unprotected. They
are faced with organisms they have never met
before. Their immune systems are undeveloped,
which leaves them at risk for infections and
serious illnesses. An infant produces antibodies
efficiently by about six months, but the immune
system is not fully developed until it is
about four or five years old. This is one
of the reasons why it is important to breastfeed
your baby for as long as possible. Breastmilk
protects against illness and encourages development
of the immune system.
Breastmilk contains lymphocytes and macrophages
that produce antibodies and other immune factors.
It provides lactobacillus bifidus, the "friendly"
bacterium that helps prevent the growth of
dangerous bacteria. Another molecule in breastmilk
actually kills harmful bacteria. In addition
to providing protection against pathogenic
bacteria, breastmilk contains elements that
guard against viruses, fungi and parasites.
The immunology of breastmilk is quite amazing.
Mother Nature definitely knows what she is
doing!
Long-Term Breastfeeding
It's baffling that some health professionals
believe that there is no benefit from breastmilk
to babies after they are six months old! Long-term
breastfeeding and natural weaning (letting
your child decide when to wean) is by far
the healthiest and builds a healthy immune
system. Continuing to breastfeed into the
preschool years does not make a child dependent
on the mother. My daughter decided to quit
nursing at age four. This was a gentle, easy
transition for her. She is a strong, independent
child because she knows she can always get
her needs met.
Breastfeeding When You
or Your Baby are Sick
Many people also believe that a mother should
not breastfeed if she is has a contagious
illness. The opposite is true. When you are
exposed to a virus, you begin producing antibodies
to fight the infection. Some of these antibodies
are passed to your baby through your breastmilk
so he or she can also fight the virus.
When your baby is sick, it makes sense to
nurse him or her more frequently. In addition
to providing antibodies, breastmilk is a nourishing
calorie-rich fluid, which keeps a baby well
hydrated. My daughter intuitively knew to
nurse more frequently when she was fighting
something off. This frequent nursing managed
to keep whatever was trying to invade her
body from developing into an actual infection
or disease.
More
Information on boosting a child's immune
system.
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Use
the information provided on this site as an
educational resource for determining your
options and making your own informed choices.
It is not intended as medical advice or to
diagnose, prescribe, or treat any specific
illness.