What type of immunity is typically provided by mother’s milk to infants?

The type of immunity provided by mother’s milk to infants is passive immunity. This occurs when antibodies from the mother are transferred to the infant through breast milk, particularly during the early days after birth when the mother produces colostrum. These antibodies help protect the infant from infections and diseases by providing immediate immune support without the infant needing to develop its own immune response. This form of immunity is temporary; the antibodies protect the child for a limited period until the infant's immune system becomes fully functional and begins to produce its own antibodies in reaction to infections.

In contrast, acquired immunity happens when an individual develops immunity after exposure to pathogens or through vaccinations over time, while innate immunity is the body’s first line of defense that is present from birth and does not change with exposure to specific pathogens. Adaptive immunity is related to the immune system's ability to adapt and create a specific response to pathogens after exposure, which is distinct from the immediate support offered by passive immunity through breast milk.