To ensure a newborn’s future is not filled with allergies or diseases later in life, parents should ensure their babies are given the best possible nutrition to naturally strengthen the immune system.  Studies have demonstrated that immediately after birth, antibodies provided by the mother from her breast milk protects the baby from a number of illnesses.  Furthermore, it is now well established that prebiotic oligosaccharides found in breast milk is responsible for strengthening the newborn’s immune system.

Child gastroenterologist dr. Badriul Hegar, SpA(K) explains, “The human intestine is the main organ of the immune system.  Between 20%-40% of the digestive tract is part of the lymphoid system, a vital component of the immune system.  This represents a majority of the lymphoid system within the human body, so it is natural that the digestive system plays an important role in the body’s immune system, in addition to the digestive system itself.”

A strong immune system within the digestive tract is seen in babies fed with breast milk, which contains prebiotic oligosaccharides that creates micro flora bacteria within the digestive system dominated by “good bacteria” (such as Bifidobacterias).  In the intestines, oligosaccharides are fermented by the micro flora, which, in addition to creating energy and increasing the absorption of water in the large intestines, result in short chained fatty acids that can prevent the growth of pathogens (or “bad bacteria”).

Children with these oligosaccharides in their bodies produce higher levels of IgA secretions compared to those who lack them.  It is a well-established fact that IgA secretions are signs of a well-defended digestive system.  The body is better protected from infections of the digestive system and is more tolerant to a number of food items that can cause allergies.

In line with the studies it conducted, Nutricia, the specialist in babies’ premium nutrition, believes that nature has provided infants with the best protection through breast milk.

“Every child has a right to receive the best benefits breast milk can provide to continuously boost their immune system towards vigorous and optimal health,’ said Marc de Rouw, President Director of Nutricia Indonesia.  “This has inspired Nutricia to launch the Immunity for Life campaign, which is a unified communications program to educate and provide information on how to best help defend a child’s immune system.”

“This campaign will allow visitors to observe the journey towards the creation of the immune system from birth, as well as provide further understanding of one of the most important components for the immune systems’ development, which is prebiotics, the third largest component within breast milk.  In order to further educate this new innovation and as a part of its social commitments, Nutricia will continue its campaign with talk shows as an educational effort for mothers and a road show for medical professionals regarding a baby’s immune system in a number of Indonesian cities such as Palembang, Semarang, Makassar, Denpasar, Medan and Yogyakarta.  We are also introducing Nutrilon Royal with IMMUNOFORTIS to further supplement a baby’s development naturally,” added Anastasi Sutadji, Marketing Director of Nutricia Indonesia. 

Director of Research and Development of Infant Nutrition, Asia Pacific, Royal Numico, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Dr. Jacques G. Bindels added, “IMMUNOFORTIS is a patented prebiotics mixture that has been developed through continuous research and observational study with a view to naturally mimic prebiotics in breast milk.  The formula within IMMUNOFORTIS is clinically proven of performing similar benefits to breast milk on the infant intestine by positively promoting the growth of healthy bacteria and contributing to the suppression of pathogens that cause diseases. These effects are the utmost importance for healthy intestines and strengthening the baby’s immune system.  Studies show that babies fed with formula with IMMUNOFORTIS are found of having low incidents of allergies, diarrhea, and infections as well as having stool consistency close to that seen in breastfed infants.”

Ensuring that their child has a strong immune system is indeed a real concern for mothers today.  Dewi Lestari, a multi talented young mother with a three year-old son, shared her concern about immunity development in the first years of her son’s life.  “As a mother, I wanted to provide the best protection to my son for his health in the future.  I breast-fed him for three years to make sure he received all the protection he needed for the first years of his life.  But as he grew up, I began to wonder, how can I make sure he continually receives the best immunity protection as he did from breast milk?”  

Mona Ratuliu, a famous actress with a three-year-old daughter who came to the event commented, “This event is really educational as it visually explains the immune system, especially in the first years of a child’s life.  I have come to realize the importance of the immune system for a child, especially in their first years.  As such, I will always strive to make sure that my daughter receives breast milk, no matter how busy or tight my schedule is.”

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