It is very curious about how to strengthen the immune system of babies or foods that strengthen immunity in babies. Here, it is necessary to make an evaluation according to how many months the baby is and whether additional food has been started or not. If additional food has not yet started, the source of the baby’s immune system is breast milk and it is essential to focus on the quality of breast milk. During the supplementary food period, the quality of the food intake gains importance.
We have reviewed some academic articles onhow to strengthen the immune system in babies and information on how to strengthen the immune system in infant nutrition . Read on for details…
How to Strengthen Babies’ Immune System?
Breast milk should bethe only food for babies for the first six months . During this period, the mother’s rich diet and adopting a lifestyle to increase milk have a positive effect on the quality of milk and the baby’s immunity. During the supplementary food period, it is possible to strengthen the baby’s immune system with a balanced infant nutrition plan.
When it comes to foods that strengthen the immune system of babies or the diet that will strengthen the immune system of the baby , it is necessary to consider the subject from three aspects :
- What should the mother eat fora strong immune system inexclusively breastfed babies?
- What should nutrition be for a strong immune system in babies receiving supplementary food?
- What arethe foods and conditionsthat negatively affect the immune system of babies?
Now, let us evaluate the research results on the answers to these questions.
1.Breast milk and the baby’s immune system
Breast milk is the baby’s first and primary food. It should be the sole food for the first six months. Breast milk contains valuable nutrients for the baby’s nutrition, development and immune system. And there is no need to pay for this valuable nutrient, or to use any packaging or serving materials. Now, let’s talk about some important facts about breast milk….
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What is Breast Milk?
We all know that breast milk is the best, but let’s look at its scientific definition:
Breast milk is a highly bioavailable, easily digestible natural food that contains all the fluids, energy and nutrients required for optimum growth and development in the newborn.
Breast milk is of three types. These are:
1.Colostrum
Milk secreted during the first five days after birth (postpartum). It is rich in antibodies that protect against infection and allergies and anti-infective factors such as white blood cells, secretory IgA, lactoferrin, macrophages. It is rich in anti-infective factors such as T and B lymphocytes.
2.Transition Milk:
It is the milk secreted during the first 15 days after colostrum.
3.Mature Milk
Milk secreted during the 3rd week after birth and beyond.
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What’s in Breast Milk?
The content of breast milk is as follows, although the content of each is more detailed and the amounts vary: Energy, protein, lactose, fat, many vitamins such as vitamin B12/B6/C, minerals such as sodium/potassium/copper, zinc, manganese, selenium, taurine, sulfur.
Substances in Breast Milk that Strengthen the Immune System of the Baby
- Lactoferrin: A protein with bacteriostatic effect that binds iron and prevents the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. It strengthens the immune system and is a growth factor.
- Bifidus Factor: It prevents the growth of fungi and allows the formation of beneficial bacteria.
- Lysozyme: An enzyme that strengthens the immune system.
- Interferon, Lactoperoxidase: A protein with antiviral and bacteriostatic effects.
- Immunoglobulins: effective against viruses such as influenza, HIV virus.
- Lymphocytes: Active against E. Coli.
- Oligosaccharides: Prevent bacteria from binding to epithelial tissue.
Assist. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gülhan Samur, Breast Milk, Hacettepe University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Ankara 2008.
Samur G. The relationship between total fat and fatty acid composition of colostrum and mature breast milk and maternal serum fatty acids and the effect of maternal nutrition on this relationship.Doctoral Thesis, H.Ü. Institute of Health Sciences, Ankara, 1997.
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Does Breast Milk Protect the Baby from Diseases?
Breast milk, with its rich nutrient content, is the most effective material for the baby’s growth as well as nutrition. On the other hand, the baby needs the content of breast milk to strengthen the immune system. Breast milk protects the baby from many diseases by improving its immune system. It also helps the breastfeeding mother to have a stronger immune system.
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Is there a nutritional difference between breastfeeding and expressing milk?
Expressing milk with a breast pump is not a substitute for breastfeeding. There is no difference in content between milk expressed with a pump and milk given by breastfeeding. However, the use of a breast pump cannot replace breastfeeding for reasons such as the social and emotional impact of breastfeeding and the stimulation of the mother’s milk ducts when the baby sucks.
Expressing milk with a breast pump should be preferred when the mother cannot be with the baby. Expressed milk should be stored in a breast milk storage bag or breast milk storage bottle .
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What Affects the Quality of Breast Milk?
Breast milk is the main source of a baby’s immune system. What are the factors that affect the nutritional richness of breast milk?
- Maternal nutritional quality
- Age of the mother
- Age at birth (such as preterm birth/ on time birth)
- Conception while breastfeeding
- Metabolic diseases in the mother
- Seasons (such as a decrease in vitamin D in winter)
- Individual and metabolic differences from one mother to another.
2. Nutrition during the Supplementary Food Period
Breast milk is the only food for the first six months and we have shared the properties of breast milk in detail. So, what to do to strengthen the baby’s immune system when he starts supplementary food?
Be sure to consult your doctor about what and how much your baby will receive as additional food. Consider the possibility of allergies in the babywhen starting supplementary foods and give everything on different days and little by little. Pay attention to a protein-rich diet and offer the lightness of vegetables and fruits. Avoid sugar. Aim to introduce sugar and salt as late as possible.
3. Common Mistakes in Feeding a Baby Receiving Supplementary Food
Consumption of packaged foods negatively affects the baby’s immune system due to the preservatives in these foods. It is important to avoid these as much as possible. Special diets such as vegan diets are also not recommended as they will prevent the baby from getting the nutrients it needs for its development. It should be essential to avoid a uniform diet and to take the advice of a physician into consideration. Care should also be taken about foods that should not be given before the age of one, such as honey and cow’s milk.
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