Breastfeeding until at least six months helps babies to fight off infections and reduces chronic inflammation, according to a new study. And better understanding the way specific nutrients in breast milk impact the immune system will improve health outcomes for all infants including those not breastfed.

The study, led by Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute (Baker Institute), discovered more clues as to why infants who were breastfed to at least six months of age had fewer infections and less chronic inflammation. Preventing these infections could reduce the rates of many childhood conditions, such as allergies, diabetes and asthma.

Published in BMC Medicine, the researchers identified several types of lipids (essential nutrients) in blood samples from breastfed babies that help reduce inflammation, which may reflect the unique nutritional composition of breastmilk.

MCRI’s Dr Toby Mansell said plasmalogens, a unique type of lipid abundant in breastmilk, appeared key to lowering inflammation. 

“Plasmalogens are only found in breastmilk and are generally absent in formula milk, so a better understanding of how plasmalogens and other lipids unique to breastmilk protect against chronic inflammation will help pave the way for new treatments for infants who don’t receive breastmilk,” he said.

Image: Dr Toby Mansell

The study involved almost 900 infants from the Barwon Infant Study, a collaboration between MCRI, Barwon Health and Deakin University.

The study explored about 800 different lipids and other metabolic markers in babies up until 12 months of age. It found breastfeeding was associated with broad effects on different classes of lipids and metabolic markers.

Baker Institute’s Dr Satvika Burugupalli said the findings would lead to a new understanding of how breastfeeding and specific components of breast milk could benefit infants.

“Breast milk performs a central role in supporting a newborn's immune system,” she said. “It’s loaded with essential nutrients, including lipids, as well as antibodies and white blood cells.

“This study has identified key biological pathways for how breastfeeding improves immune health and reduces inflammation that can lead to many childhood conditions, such as allergies and asthma, and the risk of adult cardiovascular disease and diabetes.” 

Researchers from the University of Melbourne, Deakin University, Barwon Health, Northwestern University and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health also contributed to the study.

GenV (Generation Victoria), led by MCRI, will also be a key resource to track additional health outcomes of children who are breastfed. The GenV Breast Milk Collection, with almost 7,000 breast milk samples, alongside 10,500 infant stool samples, has the unique ability to investigate the relationship between early life nutrition, gut microbiome development and childhood health. 

Publication

Satvika Burugupalli, Toby Mansell, Tingting Wang, Alexandra D. George, Sudip Paul, Richard Saffery, Mimi L.K. Tang, Thomas W. McDade, Habtamu B. Beyene, Thy Duong, Peter Vuillermin, Anne-Louise Ponsonby, Barwon Infant Study Investigator Group, David P. Burgner, Peter J. Meikle. ‘The protective effect of breastfeeding on infant inflammation: a mediation analysis of the plasma lipidome and metabolome,’ BMC Medicine. DOI: 10.1186/s12916-025-04343-0

*The content of this communication is the sole responsibility of MCRI and does not reflect the views of the NHMRC.

Available for interview

Dr Toby Mansell, MCRI Senior Research Officer, Inflammatory Origins

Dr Satvika Burugupalli, Baker Institute Research Officer, Metabolomics

Media Contact

Murdoch Children's Research Institute
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About MCRI

MCRI is the largest child health research institute in Australia committed to making discoveries and developing treatments to improve child and adolescent health in Australia and around the world. They are pioneering new treatments, trialling better vaccines and improving ways of diagnosing and helping sick babies, children and adolescents. It is one of the only research institutes in Australia to offer genetic testing to find answers for families of children with previously undiagnosed conditions.

About Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute

Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute is Australia’s only medical research institute focused on the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diabetes and heart disease. By working towards cures for heart disease and diabetes, we’re tackling Australia’s biggest killers, head on. Through our research, we’re also empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools to adopt healthier lifestyles, prevent disease and help live longer, more fulfilling lives.

Funding

The study is supported by project grants from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (GTN1030701, GTN1164212, and GTN1197234), LEW Carty Signature grant and the DHB Foundation.