At this point, saying that breast milk is the best food for the baby is obvious. It is a living substance that adapts to nutritional needs at every stage of development, but it is also a protective shield against diseases and especially against respiratory infections. For something, breast milk is considered as the baby's first vaccine.
When it comes to protecting your baby against respiratory infections, breastfeeding is a practice to consider as a preventive measure, since a new study has just confirmed that breastfeeding protects against respiratory infections, not only during the first year, a fact that had already been confirmed, but also in childhood.
A study published in the journal PlosOne examined the association between breastfeeding and respiratory tract infections in children of up to 4 years old.
They found that the duration of breastfeeding for 6 months or more is associated with a lower risk of lower respiratory tract infections. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the protective effect of breastfeeding for respiratory tract infections persists after childhood.
Why this protective effect? Breast milk contains various antimicrobial substances, anti-inflammatory components and factors that promote immune development and strengthen defense mechanisms against infectious agents during the period of breastfeeding.
It does not mean that children who do not drink breast milk are more likely to suffer from respiratory infections, but breastfeeding is certainly a protective shield against respiratory diseases so common in young children.
