Nutritional benefits of breastmilk on the health of babies' eyes

The many nutritional benefits of human milk have been numerously documented in medical and scientific journals worldwide.  The health benefits, as well as the emotional bond it creates between mother and baby, is well understood.  The American Academy of Pediatrics advocates breastfeeding a child up to one year of age.

Breastmilk contains many ingredients that help in the normal growth and development of a baby -- carbohydrates, protein, fat, minerals, vitamins, hormones, and antibodies.  Although most formulas in the United States have been made to mimic human breastmilk, the antibodies and lymphocytes that are essential to a baby's immune system cannot be duplicated and added to formulas.

The antibodies found in breastmilk are immunoglobulins, lysozymes, and lymphocytes.  Immunoglobulins called IgA and IgG  and lysozymes are abundant in tears and are protective against bacterial and viral conjunctivitis.  An iron-binding protein, lactoferrin, is a strong inhibitor of staphylococci (a type of bacteria that causes many infections).  A baby who is fed breastmilk is less likely to get an eye infection, as well as other ailments.  Taurine, an amino acid, is a protein in breastmilk that helps in development of the brain and eyes.  Taurine deficiency can result in retinal degeneration and retinal phototoxicity, a condition that causes poor visual light adaptation or tolerance. Fatty acids called DHA and ARA ,also essential in brain and eye development, are found in breastmilk.  They are now available in almost all formulas in the United States.  DHA (docosahexanoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid) are needed for rapid synthesis of neural cell membranes.  These fatty acids boost visual and cognitive functions.  Many studies show that babies who are breastfed tend to, simply put, see better and think better.

There is much to be said about the health benefits of human breastmilk.  Aside from the numerous ailments it protects against, it also provides a wealth of nutrients that lay the foundations for brain and eye developments.