Iga Vs Milk

It’s been long recognized that breastfeeding aids in babies’ defense against infections, prevention of allergies, and protection against various chronic conditions (Ben-Joseph). Studies show that breastfed babies contract fewer infections and make less trips to hospitals than formula-fed infants. This is due to the transfer of antibodies, immunoglobulin A (IgA) being the most important, and numerous microbe-fighting factors from a mother to her baby. It’s been repeatedly found that IgA limits the replication of bacterial and viral pathogens in the intestines. Furthermore, breast milk contains lysozyme, lactoperoxidase, and lactoferrin, which are enzymes that inhibit bacterial growth non-specifically. IgA may also reduce infants’ risk of allergic reactions by limiting the absorption of dietary antigens. Newborns …show more content…
Formula feeding not only deprives infants of natural protection, but also exposes them to potent immunogens found in artificial cow milk (“Breast-Feeding: The Immunological Argument” 1167).
Breast milk may also protect babies from asthma, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), diabetes, and obesity (Galson 356). Although results of studies that explored the relationship between infant feeding method and asthma have been debatable, extensive breastfeeding has proven to be beneficial. Gdalevich and his associates found that infants exclusively breastfed for 3 months or less have a 1.9-fold increased risk of developing asthma compared to babies exclusively breastfed for more than 3 months (Stuebe). Regarding SIDS, controlled studies determined that formula feeding is associated with a 1.6 to 2.1-fold increased odds of this