Can breastfeeding protect against viral illness?

One of the many amazing attributes of breastfeeding is how it boosts infant immunity. Breastmilk has a high level of antibodies which protect infants against illness by neutralizing viral and bacterial agents. These antibodies are present even in the very first breastmilk (colostrum) that your body makes. As you continue to nurse your baby, your breastmilk continues to evolve and conform to the needs of your baby in other illness fighting ways. For instance, if nursing moms are exposed to viral or bacterial illness, their bodies begin producing antibodies specific to those illnesses in their breastmilk that are passed to the baby during nursing sessions. This means that many times, breastfeeding is preventing illness altogether.  

When a baby does catch an illness, specific antibodies are created in breastmilk to help fight the illness. Leukocytes, which are cells that boost immunity, are also rapidly increased in breastmilk when a baby is sick. Both of these changes result in overall milder illnesses and quicker recoveries.  

It is optimal to continue to nurse babies through periods of illness if possible. During times of illness babies may change their feeding pattern. A common change is shorter but more frequent feedings. Some babies also may desire or need to nurse in a more upright position during periods of illness especially if they are congested.