LLLI Center for Breastfeeding Information

Journal Abstract of the Month for October 2004

"Breastfeeding: maintaining an irreplaceable immunological resource"

Authors: Miriam H. Labbok, David Clark, Armond S. Goldman

Nat Rev Immunol. 2004 Jul;4(7):565-72

Attention needs to be paid to the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding. All involved in this work need to strengthen their activities and develop new approaches. The problem is that breastfeeding has no important commercial advocate in the private sector. We must look to professional, governmental and non-governmental organizations to promote the message and support breastfeeding programs. The key to stimulating the support of breastfeeding may be in stressing the biologically irreplaceable immunological and immunomodulatory components of human milk. Researchers in the field of human milk and lactation need to continue to present their work so that decision makers become convinced of the superiority of human milk and breastfeeding for the survival of future generations. The message needs to be that there are immunological factors that are found only in human milk, not in other infant foods. This message will save many lives, reduce the suffering of infants, children and families. A few of the activities mentioned to improve breastfeeding rates are:

developing national policies and action plans
implementing legislation
appointing people to monitor the action plans
instituting the baby-friendly practices in all health facilities
building on existing strategies for support and knowledge

This paper is being categorized with the following KEYWORDS:

Human Milk – Immune Factors Gut
Public Health Lactoferrin
Epidemiology IgA
Advantages Human Milk – Fats
Promotion Cytokines, Chemokines

PubMed Citation:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15229475

Nature Reviews Immunology Abstract:
http://www.nature.com/cgi-taf/DynaPage.taf?file=/nri/journal/v4/n7/abs/nri1393_fs.html&dynoptions=doi1096499674

Additional Information

Two of the authors of this paper, Miriam Labbok and Armond Goldman, are members of La Leche League International’s Health Advisory Council http://www.lalecheleague.org/hac.html

Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative Information:
http://www.babyfriendlyusa.org/eng/index.html