Nutritional and immunological advantages of breast feeding
Tönz, O.
Therapeutische Umschau. Revue Therapeutique 35(8): 610-618
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0040-5930 PMID: 675581 Document Number: 124868
The most important nutritive advantages of human milk are the low, though species-specific, protein content which, together with a low electrolyte concn., ensures very small osmotic load for the kidneys. Fat from human milk is better absorbed than that from cow's milk or infant formulas. This is also true for Ca, Fe and Zn absorption. Contrary to earlier assumptions, the vitamin D in human milk is sufficient for prevention of rickets in breast-fed infants. Immunological advantages consist of an anti-allergic effect by elimination of foreign proteins, and an anti-infection effect due to cellular and humoral components. The IgA of the mammary gland, which protects the newborn during the initial phase of reduced intestinal immunity, is of particular importance. Among the numerous and often serious dangers that can be prevented or at least attenuated by breast feeding, the sudden infant death is the most important.