When you first bring your baby home, protecting them becomes your whole world. You wash your hands constantly, wipe down everything they might touch, and avoid anyone with a sniffle. But one of the strongest forms of protection you can give your baby actually comes from you, your breast milk.
A new study from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) has discovered just how strong your breast milk is, and exactly how it provides a protective shield for your baby.
What the New Research Means for You and Your Baby
The MCRI study found that breast milk helps lower inflammation in babies, which is a really big deal. Think of inflammation as the body working a bit “too hard.” When there’s too much of it, babies can be more vulnerable to health issues.
Breast milk contains special fats that calm inflammation and support your baby’s natural defences. These protective fats are not found in formula, and they act like little helpers that keep your baby’s immune system balanced.
Now, this doesn’t mean breastfed babies never get sick. They absolutely can, because germs are everywhere.
But breast milk can help your baby:
- Recover faster
- Experience milder symptoms
- Build stronger long-term immunity
This early immune support may help lower the chances of allergies, asthma, diabetes and even heart-related issues later in life. Every feed does more than fill their tummy – it’s shaping their future health.
Breast Milk: Your Baby’s First Immune System Booster
It goes without saying that it’s packed with so many protective elements, so when you breastfeed, your baby gets:
- ANTIBODIES: Your body’s way of passing its “fighting knowledge” to your baby
- IMMUNE CELLS: Tiny defenders that attack germs
- SOOTHING INGREDIENTS that help calm inflammation
- GOOD BACTERIA that help build a healthy gut
You don’t have to memorise any of this. Just know that your milk is like giving your baby a little armour suit every time they feed.
What if Breastfeeding Is Hard? Expressing Still Helps
Not every mum has an easy breastfeeding journey, and that’s okay. Some babies struggle with latch. Some mums need to return to work sooner. And sometimes breastfeeding is painful or overwhelming in the beginning.
Here’s the good news: expressed breast milk still carries ALL the immune-boosting benefits.
Whether you pump with your Haakaa Silicone Pump, hand express, or collect milk passively with the Haakaa Ladybug Milk Collector, your baby still receives that protection.
This is especially helpful if you’re:
- Returning to work
- Navigating latch struggles
- Feeling touched-out or sore
- Building a freezer stash
- Sharing feeds with a partner
Every drop counts.
Practical Tips for Balancing Feeding, Work, and Your Own Well-being
Let’s be honest, feeding a baby around the clock is a lot. Add work, household tasks, and basic self-care, and it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed. Here are a few gentle tips that can help:
Keep it simple
- Follow your baby’s cues. Feeds naturally become more predictable as your baby grows.
If you’re returning to work
- Feed your baby right before drop-off and as soon as you pick them up.
- Pump at similar times to their usual feeds to maintain supply.
- Use an insulated lunch bag to store milk discreetly.
Take care of yourself, too
- Try short walks with the pram – fresh air helps both of you.
- Keep snacks and water nearby (hydration really helps!).
- Rest whenever you can; even 10 minutes makes a difference.
Why This All Matters for Your Baby’s Long-Term Health
Every feed, no matter how small, is more than nutrition. You are literally giving your baby a foundation for lifelong health.
You’re not just filling their belly.
You’re lowering inflammation.
You’re strengthening their immune system.
You’re giving them extra protection now and long into the future.
Your breast milk is truly a superpower. A shield only you can give. And even if breastfeeding hasn’t looked the way you imagined, any amount of breast milk is worth celebrating.
About Courtney Garland
About Courtney GarlandCourtney Garland is an experienced healthcare professional and passionate advocate for new parents. With over a decade of expertise in neonatal care, lactation and sleep consulting, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as Board Chair for Haakaa – a multi-award-winning brand providing sustainable maternity and baby products endorsed by medical professionals.
Courtney’s expansive career includes extensive Neonatal ICU nursing, lactation consulting, and running her own private paediatric sleep practice supporting families with babies and young toddlers. As a mum of four, she understands the real challenges parents face and is dedicated to providing education and practical, evidence-based solutions for families. Courtney’s dedication is a vital asset to our team.
References:
Dickinson, K. M., Zhao, Y., Vuillermin, P., Ponsonby, A. L., Saffery, R., Pezic, A., Dunn, R. R., Dinh, P. C., Conlon, M. A., Tang, M. L. K., & Burgner, D. P. (2025). Infant dietary exposures, inflammation, and lipidome profiles: Findings from the Barwon Infant Study. BMC Medicine, 23(1), Article 43.
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. (2025). Discovery into how breastfeeding impacts immunity in babies.
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