Jose Luis Fernandez Rojas*

Primary Health Care Medstation Pompano Beach, University of Havana/Institute of Hematology and Immunology/Miami Regional University, USA

*Corresponding Author: Jose Luis Fernandez Rojas, Primary Health Care Medstation Pompano Beach, University of Havana/Institute of Hematology and Immunology/ Miami Regional University, USA.

Received: February 09, 2025; Published: February 21, 2025

Abstract

Breast milk is an essential pillar in the development of the infant's immune system, providing protection against infections and diseases during the first months of life. At birth, the infant's immune system is immature, making it vulnerable to serious infections. Maternal immunity is transferred to the fetus through the placenta and continued through breastfeeding, which provides antibodies (mainly IgA), growth factors and immunomodulatory elements.
The neonatal immune system has limitations in pathogen identification, T cell response and antibody production, which reduces the effectiveness of vaccines and increases the predisposition to allergies and asthma. Breast milk helps mitigate these effects by transferring immunoglobulins, transfer factors and complement system molecules, which reinforce passive immunity and modulate the immune response.
The benefits of breastfeeding transcend childhood, reducing the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as improving the child's cognitive and emotional development. It also protects the mother against breast and ovarian cancer, reduces hypertension and promotes mother-child bonding.
From an economic and environmental perspective, breastfeeding reduces health costs, resource use and environmental impact. Promoting breastfeeding should be a public health priority to ensure optimal child development and long-term well-being.

Keywords: Breast Milk; Breastfeeding

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Citation

Citation: Jose Luis Fernandez Rojas. “Breastfeeding: A Fundamental Pillar in the Development of the Immune System in Infants".Acta Scientific Paediatrics 8.2 (2025): 15-20.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2025 Jose Luis Fernandez Rojas. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.