Research: How long do virus-neutralising antibodies last in breast milk?

Quick Summary: A recent study reveals the amazing infection-fighting power of human breast milk against Covid-19.

A study published in September 2021 reveals the amazing infection-fighting super-power of breast milk against Covid-19.

Dr Rebecca Powell, a human milk immunologist at Mount Sinai hospital in New York, presented the results of the study at the Global Breastfeeding and Lactation Symposium on 21 September.

The presentation was discussed in a recent in-depth article in the Guardian.

Here is a summary of the main points.

The study found….

• Samples of breast milk were collected from 75 breastfeeding women who had recovered from a Covid-19 infection.
• 88% of these samples contained antibodies capable of neutralising Sars-CoV-2.
• Further investigations found these antibodies were present in the breast milk 10 months later.
• QUICK SUMMARY: Breastfeeding women who recover from a Sars-CoV-2 infection can continue to secrete virus-neutralising antibodies in their milk for 10 months.

This is important as approximately 1 in 10 babies under one year old will require significant hospital care if they…