Abstract

Breast feeding (BF) provides infants with the most suitable nutrients from birth tell weaning. The major part of mother breast milk (MBM) is water in which the other components dissolve. These components include nutrients and immune factors. The concentration of these components varies by time after delivery. Breast milk even provides infants with various types of bacterial species that contribute for development of infant microbiota.

Components that are regarded important for shaping of infant immune response include different factors. MBM contains oligosaccharides which are associated with guts defenses, cytokines that participate in inflammation and immune cells activation, immunoglobulins that arm infant’s intestinal mucosa with defense lines against microbial infections. Extracellular micro vesicles (EV) are microparticles with phospholipid bilayer secreted by maternal cells. These particles are highly found inside human milk and they regulate intracellular signaling, inflammation and immune response. Lactoferrin are protein molecules found in human breast milk and play a great role in immune modulation and interaction with different types of microorganisms.

Childs who are breast fed have less incidence of being a victim of auto immune diseases as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes type. Breast milk has an important effect in protection of infants against several types of bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic pathogens. MBM stays the most suitable food to infants in spite of the progress of infant’s formula industry.