What can newborns receive from their mothers that provides temporary immunity?

Newborns receive passive immunity from their mothers' milk, specifically through colostrum, which is the first milk produced after giving birth. This colostrum is rich in antibodies, particularly Immunoglobulin A (IgA), as well as other vital nutrients and factors that help protect the newborn from infections and disease during the early stages of life. Passive immunity is crucial for newborns since their immune systems are not fully developed at birth, and the antibodies received through breast milk temporarily bolster their immune defenses.

Other choices explore concepts related to immunity but do not provide the correct mechanism for temporary immunity. Active antibodies from vaccinations require the immune system to generate a response, which newborns haven’t experienced yet. Immunity from environmental exposure refers to the natural development of immunity over time as an organism encounters pathogens, which newborns have not yet done. Antibiotics, while beneficial for treating infections, are not naturally transferred through the umbilical cord and do not provide immunity in the same way antibodies do. Thus, passive immunity via maternal milk is the most accurate response to this question.