The whole complex design is greater than the sum of its individual components and greater than our ability to understand. Iron and zinc are similar examples in human breast milk. The breast-fed baby has no need for supplements. However, cow's milk, formulas, and pooled pasteurized human milk all need supplements to prevent deficiencies. The early milk, or colostrum, sets in motion the infant's immunoreactive system.
Human milk is a truly living fluid in which antibodies and cells move about.
The cells in the mother's milk not only attack bacteria that may be harmful to the baby, but apparently they have the ability to produce antibodies that destroy bacteria and viruses as well. Evidently the infant who is exposed to infections and nurses from its mother, also produces changes in the mother's breast. Within hours the next milk contains antibodies and immunoglobulins to protect the baby before the infant exhibits visible symptoms. There are many other advantages for breast feeding which have not been mentioned in this article. We should at least mention the more tender benefits to both mother and child of breast feeding.