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Understanding Bifidobacteria & It's Role in Infant Health
Read time: 4 minutes
As dietitians and moms, we often get asked by parents if probiotics should be top of mind when it comes to their baby’s health. And what about bifidobacteria; is this particular type important?
The bottom line is that while all babies’ health and needs are different, supporting their overall gut health can be important to support their overall well-being.
Bifidobacteria are among the first microbes to colonize an infant’s gut, and having enough in early life is a critical component in immune system development. But emerging research reports that many infants in the United States lack bifidobacteria.17
Keep reading to understand more about these beneficial bacteria and their potential role in baby’s health.
Background: What are probiotics
Probiotics are live organisms that, when consumed in adequate amounts, provide benefits.14
The gut microbiome can be thought of as a small community that needs to stay balanced and healthy; something that we are continuously working to support and improve. Probiotics, such as bifidobacteria, help support gut health, immune function, and overall wellness.2 These benefits are especially important for babies.3
Establishing the foundation of a balanced gut early in life can help support your baby’s health well into the future.4
Learn More: Probiotics and Prebiotics for Kids 101
Why is Bifidobacteria Important to Your Baby?
There are many types of probiotics, and different strains support health in different ways.
Bifidobacteria are one of the dominant microbes in an infant’s gut, and among the first to colonize.18 Research has indicated that having enough bifidobacteria in early life plays an important role in immune system development.19
The problem is that not being exposed to enough beneficial bacteria, like bifidobacteria, can disturb the gut microbiota balance. Newer research shows that many babies in the United States may not have enough bifidobacteria, which may have lasting effects.8
How Does Bifidobacteria Help Your Body?
Bifidobacterium includes many different strains that have been studied for health benefits.
For example, Bifidobacteria breve M-16V comes from a species commonly found in breastfed infants (B. breve) and has been studied for supporting digestive health, as well as stool frequency and consistency in infants.184
These beneficial bacteria are also critical in building the immune system, so having an environment with optimal bifidobacteria may be a major cornerstone when it comes to infant gut health.4
How to Increase Bifidobacteria
Delivery
During vaginal delivery, a newborn is exposed to the mother’s microbiome while passing through the birth canal, which helps the colonization and development of the infant’s gut microbiome.15 Babies born vaginally tend to have more bifidobacteria as part of their microbiome compared to those who are born via C-section.17
Babies who are born by C-section oftentimes have less Bifidobacteria in their microbiome. Babies can help fill the bifidobacteria gap in other ways, such as via breast milk, early and very close skin-to-skin contact, and vaginal seeding, which is the swabbing of the newborn with mom’s vaginal fluid after birth.1621
Breast Milk and Specific Formulas
In addition to the transfer of bifidobacterium during vaginal birth and through breast milk, these beneficial bacteria can also be provided to your formula-fed infant through formulas fortified with bifidobacteria.511
Specific foods
Bifidobacteria are also found in certain foods that have been fortified with this specific bacterium. For example, some fermented dairy foods, such as kefir and yogurt, may contain bifidobacteria. Always check the label to see which probiotic strains the manufacturer included
Remember that the American Academy of Pediatrics encourages parents to wait until baby is around 6 months before introducing solid foods.20
Be sure to chat with baby’s pediatrician should you have questions about formula and introducing solids.
Read more:
What are the Benefits of Breastmilk
Introducing Solids: Signs of Readiness
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For more on this topic, check out the following articles:
Should I Give my Baby Probiotics?
How to Help Your Baby Poop and Occasional Constipation in Babies
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