2007-10-25 16:41:43 · 11 answers · asked by Hazel M 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Newborns have immature immune systems...
"A newborn does not yet have a mature immune system and is often unable to mount an effective immune response. Newborns are generally protected by the antibodies they receive through the placenta before birth and through their mother's breastmilk after birth. These antibodies will be the same ones that are circulating in the mother's system, which will include antibodies to the microorganisms in the mother's home environment and other places she frequents. Therefore, babies generally have antibodies to the germs in their own homes.
However, many of the germs in a hospital environment are foreign to both the mother and the baby, so the baby will not have antibodies to protect against these germs, and the baby cannot create its own antibodies against these new germs. "
That's why the first food, colostrum, or pre-milk, as it's sometimes called, is so crucial in those first days...
"Colostrum actually works as a natural and 100% safe vaccine. It contains large quantities of an antibody called secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) which is a new substance to the newborn. Before your baby was born, he received the benefit of another antibody, called IgG, through your placenta. IgG worked through the baby's circulatory system, but IgA protects the baby in the places most likely to come under attack from germs, namely the mucous membranes in the throat, lungs, and intestines.
Colostrum has an especially important role to play in the baby's gastrointestinal tract. A newborn's intestines are very permeable. Colostrum seals the holes by "painting" the gastrointestinal tract with a barrier which mostly prevents foreign substances from penetrating and possibly sensitizing a baby to foods the mother has eaten.
Colostrum also contains high concentrations of leukocytes, protective white cells which can destroy disease-causing bacteria and viruses.
The colostrum gradually changes to mature milk during the first two weeks after birth. During this transition, the concentrations of the antibodies in your milk decrease, but your milk volume greatly increases. The disease-fighting properties of human milk do not disappear with the colostrum. In fact, as long as your baby receives your milk, he will receive immunological protection against many different viruses and bacteria."
2007-10-25 16:48:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Newborns actually have a pretty strong immune system. However, they are much more vulnerable to certain diseases like meningitis, which Mom likely has no antibodies for. Also, lung development is such, that a cold in a newborn can often lead quickly to pneumonia. Add that to the information from My3Boys above, and that gives you a pretty good picture. Of course, a premature infant does not have these protections!
2007-10-25 23:49:41 · answer #2 · answered by CarbonDated 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They aren't. Newborns have a very good resistance to disease because they have all the mothers antibodies for a certain amount of time, like several monthes.
Some doctors tell mothers to keep their babies inside for so long after they are born. That is a bunch of hogwash. That is when they are fun to take out and everyone wants to see them and oogle over them.
2007-10-25 23:46:59 · answer #3 · answered by Tigger 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Their immune systems are still developing in the first 6 months or so of life. That is why breast feeding is so important as it is full of the mom's antibodies to help fight disease.
2007-10-25 23:45:36 · answer #4 · answered by Tonya B 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think mine was.
I had the flu
a stomach virus
many many colds...
when I had the flu, he didn't get sick at all (he was 3 weeks old) and i was breastfeeding him
when I had the stomach virus (twice) he just got a touch fussy and had some runny poos (i was breastfeeding him and giving him solids)
of all the times I've had colds or sore throats, he's had one cold that lasted one day. oh and I was breastfeeding during that too.
my baby seemed to have a decent resistance to sickness... i wouldn't consider him more vulnerable at all!
2007-10-26 00:26:30 · answer #5 · answered by E.B. 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They don't have an immune system that is strong enough to fight off most things. As they breast feed and grow their immune system builds up and they are better able to fight off disease and viruses.
2007-10-25 23:46:32 · answer #6 · answered by The Original Monstress 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They have immature immune systems. That is why it is so dangerous for a newborn to get sick.
2007-10-25 23:56:53 · answer #7 · answered by sarah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Immune system not strong yet
2007-10-25 23:50:14 · answer #8 · answered by Stephanie W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yup, what they said! ^^^ Their immune systems are very fragile and under-developed.
2007-10-25 23:49:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they are yet to build up there immune system.
2007-10-25 23:46:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋