Lifetime of Benefits for Breastfed Babies

Mothers can transfer lifelong protection against infection to their infants by breastfeeding, says a new study by an international team of scientists led by researchers at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Previously it was thought that immunity against illness is passed from mothers to infants only during the time they are breastfed, this protection ending when breastfeeding stops. It was also thought that this immunity was transferred by a mother’s proteins such as antibodies that are used by the immune system to neutralise bacteria and viruses. However, research by scientists published today in Science Advances has found that the transfer of immunity can be long-term, beyond the period of breastfeeding. The study also showed that this protection is driven by the transfer of immune cells and is completely independent of antibodies. https://www.technologynetworks.com/applied-sciences/news/lifetime-of-benefits-for-breastfed-babies-320054?utm_campaign=NEWSLETTER_TN_Breaking%20Science%20News&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=73226030&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_QLFTzUREhbRgAK9efPHsAY8KZR2IqPa_SPPV-CFgw9v3c9ct1F4Wi2T9ATzwH4PE4RNo8rPLPBA4lBvxgPo-DufjbvA&_hsmi=73226030