Everyone knows breast milk is best for babies, and a new study has found yet another reason mother’s should try to use their own milk instead of formula.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that breastfed newborns developed a healthier gut than those bottle-fed baby formula.
The study — published in the August issue of the journal Current Nutrition & Food Science — showed that breast milk encourages growth of microbiotic flora that boost the immune system and aid digestion.
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“This study is the first we know of that examines the effects of infant nutrition on the way that bacteria grow, providing insight to the mechanisms underlying the benefits of breast feeding over formula feeding for newborns,” study leader Dr William Parker said.
Previous studies have shown breast milk can guard against allergies, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and other illnesses.
It has also been proven to reduce the risk of diarrhoea, influenza and respiratory infections during the first year of life.
Researchers grew bacteria in breast milk, baby formula and cow’s milk. The bacteria grew in all specimens, but in very different ways.
In breast milk, bacteria formed in biofilms, thin layers of bacteria that act as a shield against harmful pathogens and infections.
The bacteria grown in the other milks multiplied steadily, but did not form a protective film.
Dr Parker and his team hope their research can be used to make baby formulas that better mimic breast milk to help mothers who can’t breast feed.
Related: Should military mums be allowed to breastfeed in uniform?
“Knowing how breast milk conveys its benefits could help in the development of infant formulas that better mimic nature,” he said.
“This could have a long-lasting effect on the health of infants who, for many reasons, may not get mother’s milk.”
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