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Breast milk provides the best nutrition for infants, promoting growth and health throughout life.
Early cessation of breastfeeding (before 3 months) leads to premature microbial acquisition linked to immune modulation and asthma. Longer exclusive breastfeeding supports paced microbial development, offering protection against asthma. Extended breastfeeding is vital for respiratory health and presents potential microbial targets for intervention.
Despite proven benefits, less than half of infants and young children globally are breastfed in accordance with the recommendations of WHO.
In 2013–2018, only 41% of children under six months of age were exclusively breastfed worldwide
Exclusively breastfed infants have less gut microbial diversity, while formula-fed infants develop a more diverse gut microbiota.
Epidemiological data show that breastfeeding (the “gold standard” in infant nutrition), is associated not only with short-term benefits - namely, a lowered risk of infectious diseases in childhood - but also with longer-term benefits: a lower prevalence of adiposity / obesity, protection against type 2 diabetes
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a child’s life and continued breastfeeding while expanding the diet at least until two
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants be breastfed for the first six months of life with continued breastfeeding while expanding their diet with complementary foods for a year or more.
The factor that significantly affects the health of breastfed babies is the Breast milk microbiota.
The composition of breast milk adapts to the needs of the developing organism, satisfying nutritional needs at an early stage of growth and development.
The results of research to date have shown that breast milk is the best food for a child, containing not only nutrients but also biologically active substances that aid in the optimal, proper growth and development of infants.
Among the many components of breast milk, an essential element is the probiotic microflora, including bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus spp.
These organisms exert a multidirectional, health-promoting effect on the body of children who consume breast milk.
The percent of nutrient requirements based on the recommended daily intakes (RDIs) met via average daily breastmilk consumption (750 mL from 0–6 months and 800 mL from 7–12 months)
Studies consistently find breastfed infants face fewer and less severe diseases, especially diarrheal and gastrointestinal infections, compared to those without breast milk.
Research since 1932 shows breastfeeding lowers infant morbidity and mortality in the first year.
see also:
Breastfeeding & Cognition
Childbirth / Perinatal & Development of Gut Microbiota
Composition & Gut microbiota
Development of Gut Microbiota & Early Childhood / Neonates
Dysbiosis & Early Childhood / Neonates
Formula feeding
Gut microbiota & Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO)
Human milk / Breast milk
Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs)
Infant Formulas