How Long Does Mother’s Immune System Protect Baby
Studies are still ongoing in this subject, so there’s no precise answer. The exact amount of protection that a baby receives from its mother depends on the antibodies that the mother has in her immune system. Research indicates that a baby’s passive immunity lasts for around six months.
One study examined the passive immunity to measles in infants. It discovered that the babies’ immunity to the disease diminished over time, and none of them had immunity by the age of 9 months.
In other words, it isn’t like flipping a switch. There isn’t a cutoff date at which a baby is no longer protected by the passive immunity provided by its mother. Rather, immunity to certain pathogens slowly decreases over several months after birth.
Breast milk, however, contains antibodies that can extend a baby’s ability to fight infection.
Among other important elements, breast milk has the antibodies that a mother has in her body as well as those she makes in response to illnesses that she encounters while breastfeeding. This extra support for the developing immune system can help keep newborn babies healthy while their passive immunity wanes and their own immune systems continue to grow stronger.
The Adaptive Immune System
T cells develop in the thymus, which is largest at birth and during the first years of life. Mature single CD4+ and CD8+ positive T cells are first detected in the thymus at week 15 and abundant in the periphery well before birth . However, neonatal T cells differ significantly from adult cells, reflecting the fetal life, where exposure to foreign antigens is largely restricted to non-inherited maternal alloantigens. The function of early-life T cells is different from adult T cells. For example, though fetal naive CD4+ T cells respond strongly to alloantigens, they tend to develop towards Foxp3+ CD25+ regulatory T cells through the influence of TGF- , and thus actively promote self-tolerance. Peripheral Treg represent around 3% of total CD4+ T cells at birth and these cells persist for an extended period of time , giving the early-life immune response an anti-inflammatory profile .
Foreign antigen activation of late fetal or neonatal T cells results in a response skewed towards Th2 immunity , which is reinforced by neonatal dendritic cells and epigenetic features . Very early-life adaptive T-cell immunity is thus characterized by tolerogeneic reactivity, reduced allo-antigen recognition and poor responses to foreign antigens.
Build Your Childs Immune System
From the moment a child enters the world, the gut microbiome begins to develop. The first years of life are an especially critical time for growing trillions of bacteria to benefit the immune system. With a few simple steps, parents can play an important role in helping to build a child’s immune system by first building a healthy gut and laying the foundation for a lifetime of good health.
Don’t Miss: What Should I Bring To The Hospital For My Newborn
Johns Hopkins Study Shows Mothers Diet May Boost Immune Systems Of Premature Infants
Medical researchers have long understood that a pregnant mothers diet has a profound impact on her developing fetuss immune system and that babies especially those born prematurely who are fed breast milk have a more robust ability to fight disease, suggesting that even after childbirth, a mothers diet matters. However, the biological mechanisms underlying these connections have remained unclear.
Now, in a study published Feb. 15, 2021, in the journal Nature Communications, a Johns Hopkins Medicine research team reports that pregnant mice fed a diet rich in a molecule found abundantly in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower gave birth to pups with stronger protection against necrotizing enterocolitis . NEC is a dangerous inflammatory condition that destroys a newborns intestinal lining, making it one of the leading causes of mortality in premature infants.
The team also found that breast milk from these mothers continued to confer immunity against NEC in their offspring.
In the first of three experiments, Hackam and his colleagues sought to induce NEC in 7-day old mice, half of which were born from mothers fed I3C derived from broccoli during their pregnancies and half from mothers fed a diet without I3C. They found that those born from mothers given I3C throughout gestation were 50% less likely to develop NEC, even with their immune systems still immature at one week after birth.
Exploring The Invisible Universe That Lives On Us And In Us
Babies start acquiring their personal collection of microbes at birth. But it seems to take a few years for what scientists call our microbiome to fully form. That’s where this research comes in.
In a paper published Wednesday in the journal Nature, Dr. Sing Sing Way, a specialist in infectious disease in babies, and his colleagues at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital report that the immune systems of newborns are actively suppressed.
The experiments, which were done in a lab with mice and blood samples from human infants’ umbilical cords, show that certain red blood cells, known as CD71 cells, rein in the newborn immune system. That could create a welcoming environment for beneficial microbes, the researchers say, in a way that an adult immune system can’t.
Unfortunately, the scientists didn’t look at how long immune system suppression might last in actual babies. But most parents know that eventually their child won’t get sick as often. And that could be when the immune system strikes a balance between allowing good microbes to thrive while fighting off the bad ones.
Also Check: How To Help Your Newborn Pass Gas
Antibiotics Can Actually Hurt It
In recent history, theres been more of an awareness about the potential overuse of antibiotics to fight infection. While these medicines are sometimes considered important for recovery, they come with certain risks.
Taking antibiotics can [reduce[ some of the gut bacteria that are important for immunity, explains PregnancyBirthBaby.org. Probiotics are often suggested as a way of boosting babies immunity after they have had antibiotics.
Giving either of these medicines to a baby is, of course, a choice that will be advised by your childs own pediatrician.
And the same site notes that the benefits of probiotics for children arent really documented since any studies have been with adults instead.
Tip #: Avoid Antibiotics If Possible
Antibiotics, like formula, change the balance in the gut.
While theyre great for healing an infection, they can wreak damage when overused.
A common reason for early antibiotic use is when a pregnant women tests positive to Group B Strep. If you test positive for Group B Strep, or if you want to be prepared, make sure you read our article, here.
One study, for example, found links between antibiotic use in the first year and asthma during adolescence and bowel problems during childhood.
If your baby does need antibiotic treatment for an illness, you might want to consider using probiotics to build beneficial gut bacteria. Speak to your naturopath to source a great quality probiotic designed especially for babies.
With all you will do to keep your new baby healthy, these simple steps may be the foundation for building a strong immune system for life.
References:
You May Like: What Size Bottle For Newborn
Ways To Boost Your Babys Immune System Naturally
As a mom, you not only have to keep yourself healthy, but you are responsible for your little ones health as well. While germs and illness are not completely avoidable, you can take preventative action by boosting the immune system to handle any incoming threats.
If your little one is still an infant, and not eating solid foods yet, make sure that you breastfeed as often as possible and that you boost your immune system. Keeping yourself healthy and strong will pass on all the right nutrients for baby to stay healthy and strong. Your infant can take powdered probiotics and vitamin D3 drops to strengthen his immune system, but talk to your pediatrician about dosage and frequency.
Nursing moms can boost their babies immune system via breastmilk by taking Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Omega 3 Fatty Acid, and Probiotics regularly. This, of course, will be paired with a whole foods diet full of leafy greens, garlic, ginger, fruits, vegetables, and all as organic as you can manage and plenty of exercise! If your little one is crawling around and eating food, continue to breastfeed as often as possible, but feel free to also boost their immune system with these 10 suggestions.
If your child is beyond the breastfeeding years, definitely start working on his immune system!
About Your Newborns Immune System
Babies are like a fortress with few soldiers insideinfections are kept on their skin and the lining of their mouth and nose. And, breast milk gives babies a wonderful supply of infection-fighting white blood cells that literally coat the intestines .
However, once the mean germs get inside a young babys body , they can take over and cause illnesses that are very inconvenientwaking all night because of a stuffy noseor downright seriouseven life threatening. That’s why it’s so important to give babies vaccines during the very vulnerable first months.
Here are a few ultra-practical tips to keep those germs away from your precious, new little human.
Also Check: How To Parent A Newborn
You Cant Avoid All Illness But Some Kids Need Extra Protection
Even if you follow these tips, your child might still get between seven and 11 colds each year, says Dr. Lioudis. She adds that you can expect each one to last up to two weeks.
Also, keep in mind that some things billed as common remedies arent effective in boosting immunity. For example, theres no definitive proof that large amounts of vitamin C or echinacea help prevent colds or shorten them, she says.
However, if your child has a compromised immune system, work closely with your pediatrician to find ways to improve his or her immunity. Each child needs a personalized approach because their individual immune system varies, Dr. Lioudis says.
Theres generally a different protocol with immunocompromised children. There are some vaccines we have to add in on top of what most children have, but its something that we must determine on a case-by-case basis.
Living Life Leads To Immunities
Although we take care to wash our hands and keep our little ones warm, rested, and ready to fight off infections, they will, of course, be exposed to bacteria and viruses, and thats how they develop immunities throughout life.
Babies produce their own antibodies every time they are exposed to a virus or germ, but it takes time for this immunity to fully develop, says PregnancyBirthBaby.org. Each time your baby gets sick, they are developing new antibodies that will protect them in the future. In the meantime, there are some important things you can do to protect your baby, as weve covered here today.
Also Check: How Many Diapers Do You Need For Newborn
The Immune System In Babies
Antibodies are passed from mother to baby through the placenta during the third trimester . This gives the baby some protection when they are born. The type and amount of antibodies passed to the baby depends on the mothers own level of immunity.
During birth, bacteria from the mothers vagina is passed on to the baby. This helps to build the colony of bacteria in the gut that contributes to their immunity.
After birth, more antibodies are passed on to the baby in colostrum and in breast milk. But babies immune systems are still not as strong as adults. Premature babies are at greater risk of infection because their immune systems are even more immature and they havent had as many antibodies passed to them from their mothers.
Babies produce their own antibodies every time they are exposed to a virus or germ, but it takes time for this immunity to fully develop.
The passive immunity passed on from the mother at birth also doesn’t last long and will start to decrease in the first few weeks and months after birth.
Transfer Of Protection From Mother
The main component of immune protection transferred from mother to child is antibody. This is transferred across the placenta to the foetus using the FcRn . Antibody is also transferred to the infant via breast milk. The main immunoglobulin class transferred is IgA, the transferred IgA works at mucosal surfaces, where it is able to prevent pathogen entry. However other important factors are transferred, including complement and commensal bacteria which may provide protection against asthma and allergy in later life .
Recommended Reading: What To Dress Newborn In For Sleep
Immunize Your Babyand His Inner Circle
Were incredibly blessed to no longer have tens of thousands of our babies dying from measles and meningitis, or crippled from polio. To fully protect your baby, makes sure he starts his vaccines by 2 months of age. And please understand that some illnesses like whooping cough and influenza are especially dangerous in the first months of life. Thats why its crucial that all family members and caregivers are immunizedyou want to create a cocoon of protection for that time before your infant can get his shots.
Placental Transmission Of Immunity
The placenta develops from the trophectoderm of the blastocyst and serves as a protective barrier, and promotes the growth of the fetus. During pregnancy the placenta reciprocally exchanges gases, nutrients, and waste products between the mother and fetus . The placenta is also crucial for providing fetal and newborn immunity. Because the placenta is continuously exposed to the pathogens present in the mother’s blood, it has several mechanisms protecting the fetus from the infection. The surface of the placenta is built of a continuous layer of cells without cell junctions, and the brush border of the placental surface has a network of very dense actin filaments. These two biophysical barriers prevent the entry of pathogens from the mothernal blood. In addition, the unique composition of the membrane of placental cells prevents the attachment and penetration of some of the pathogens . The placenta also secrets the antiviral compounds such as type III interferons, and, the enclosed within exosomes unique miRNAs, the trophomiRs, which prevent viral infection , , ].
Read Also: What Do I Need For A Newborn Baby Checklist
Ways To Boost Your Child’s Immunity
Colds and flu are a fact of life for kids, but there are smart steps you can take to help reduce their number of sick days.
What can you do to protect your child from the endless array of germs and viruses they encounter? Unfortunately, in some ways, getting sick is simply part of the child job description. “We all enter this world with an inexperienced immune system,” says Charles Shubin, M.D., an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Maryland. Slowly, children prime their immunity by battling an ongoing series of germs, viruses, and other organismswhich is why many pediatricians consider six to eight colds, bouts of flu, or ear infections per year normal.
That said, some healthy habits can serve as an immune booster for kids, such as eating more vegetables, getting enough sleep, and washing your hands regularly. Here are seven ways to kick your kid’s immune system into high gear.