Bacteria in Breast Milk

Overview

Journal Nutrients

Date 2020 Dec 16

PMID 33321792

Citations 30

Authors

Katarzyna Lubiech

Magdalena Twaruzek

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Breast milk is an optimal food for infants and toddlers. 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 important element is the probiotic microflora, including bacteria of the genus spp. These organisms exert a multidirectional, health-promoting effect on the body of children who consume breast milk. The number of lactic acid bacteria, including , colonizing the breast milk environment and their species diversity varies and depends on many factors, both maternal and environmental. Breast milk, as a recommended food for infants, is an important source of probiotic microflora. The aim of this study was to present the current understanding of probiotic bacteria of the genus present in breast milk.

Citing Articles

Bacterial community assembly of specific pathogen-free neonatal mice.

Kennedy E, Weagley J, Kim A, Antia A, DeVeaux A, Baldridge M Microbiome. 2025; 13(1):46.

PMID: 39920864 PMC: 11804086. DOI: 10.1186/s40168-025-02043-8.

Microbiota assembly of specific pathogen-free neonatal mice.

Kennedy E, Weagley J, Kim A, Antia A, DeVeaux A, Baldridge M bioRxiv. 2025; .

PMID: 39868118 PMC: 11761686. DOI: 10.1101/2025.01.14.633035.

Characterization and Probiotic Potential of DPL5: A Novel Strain Isolated from Human Breast Milk with Antimicrobial Properties Against Biofilm-Forming .

Iliev I, Yahubyan G, Apostolova-Kuzova E, Gozmanova M, Mollova D, Iliev I Microorganisms. 2025; 13(1).

PMID: 39858927 PMC: 11767307. DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms13010160.

The microbiota: a key regulator of health, productivity, and reproductive success in mammals.

Khan I, Nassar N, Chang H, Khan S, Cheng M, Wang Z Front Microbiol. 2024; 15:1480811.

PMID: 39633815 PMC: 11616035. DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1480811.

Unveiling the neonatal gut microbiota: exploring the influence of delivery mode on early microbial colonization and intervention strategies.

Ma G, Chen Z, Li Z, Xiao X Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2024; 310(6):2853-2861.

PMID: 39589476 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-024-07843-1.

References

Diaz-Ropero M, Martin R, Sierra S, Lara-Villoslada F, Rodriguez J, Xaus J . Two Lactobacillus strains, isolated from breast milk, differently modulate the immune response. J Appl Microbiol. 2007; 102(2):337-43. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2006.03102.x. View

Andreas N, Kampmann B, Mehring Le-Doare K . Human breast milk: A review on its composition and bioactivity. Early Hum Dev. 2015; 91(11):629-35. DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2015.08.013. View

Rautava S . Early microbial contact, the breast milk microbiome and child health. J Dev Orig Health Dis. 2015; 7(1):5-14. DOI: 10.1017/S2040174415001233. View

Favier C, Vaughan E, de Vos W, Akkermans A . Molecular monitoring of succession of bacterial communities in human neonates. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2002; 68(1):219-26. PMC: 126580. DOI: 10.1128/AEM.68.1.219-226.2002. View

Matsumiya Y, Kato N, Watanabe K, Kato H . Molecular epidemiological study of vertical transmission of vaginal Lactobacillus species from mothers to newborn infants in Japanese, by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction. J Infect Chemother. 2002; 8(1):43-9. DOI: 10.1007/s101560200005. View

Olivares M, Albrecht S, Palma G, Ferrer M, Castillejo G, Schols H . Human milk composition differs in healthy mothers and mothers with celiac disease. Eur J Nutr. 2014; 54(1):119-28. DOI: 10.1007/s00394-014-0692-1. View

Donnet-Hughes A, Perez P, Dore J, Leclerc M, Levenez F, Benyacoub J . Potential role of the intestinal microbiota of the mother in neonatal immune education. Proc Nutr Soc. 2010; 69(3):407-15. DOI: 10.1017/S0029665110001898. View

Moossavi S, Sepehri S, Robertson B, Bode L, Goruk S, Field C . Composition and Variation of the Human Milk Microbiota Are Influenced by Maternal and Early-Life Factors. Cell Host Microbe. 2019; 25(2):324-335.e4. DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2019.01.011. View

Dominguez-Bello M, De Jesus-Laboy K, Shen N, Cox L, Amir A, Gonzalez A . Partial restoration of the microbiota of cesarean-born infants via vaginal microbial transfer. Nat Med. 2016; 22(3):250-3. PMC: 5062956. DOI: 10.1038/nm.4039. View

10.

. Breastfeeding and the use of human milk. Pediatrics. 2012; 129(3):e827-41. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2011-3552. View

11.

Pusceddu M, El Aidy S, Crispie F, OSullivan O, Cotter P, Stanton C . N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs) Reverse the Impact of Early-Life Stress on the Gut Microbiota. PLoS One. 2015; 10(10):e0139721. PMC: 4591340. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139721. View

12.

Martin R, Olivares M, Marin M, Fernandez L, Xaus J, Rodriguez J . Probiotic potential of 3 Lactobacilli strains isolated from breast milk. J Hum Lact. 2005; 21(1):8-17. DOI: 10.1177/0890334404272393. View

13.

Marcobal A, Barboza M, Sonnenburg E, Pudlo N, Martens E, Desai P . Bacteroides in the infant gut consume milk oligosaccharides via mucus-utilization pathways. Cell Host Microbe. 2011; 10(5):507-14. PMC: 3227561. DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2011.10.007. View

14.

Isolauri E, Kirjavainen P, Salminen S . Probiotics: a role in the treatment of intestinal infection and inflammation?. Gut. 2002; 50 Suppl 3:III54-9. PMC: 1867676. DOI: 10.1136/gut.50.suppl_3.iii54. View

15.

Urbaniak C, Angelini M, Gloor G, Reid G . Human milk microbiota profiles in relation to birthing method, gestation and infant gender. Microbiome. 2016; 4:1. PMC: 4702315. DOI: 10.1186/s40168-015-0145-y. View

16.

Zijlmans M, Korpela K, Riksen-Walraven J, de Vos W, de Weerth C . Maternal prenatal stress is associated with the infant intestinal microbiota. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2015; 53:233-45. DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.01.006. View

17.

Martin R, Heilig G, Zoetendal E, Smidt H, Rodriguez J . Diversity of the Lactobacillus group in breast milk and vagina of healthy women and potential role in the colonization of the infant gut. J Appl Microbiol. 2007; 103(6):2638-44. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2007.03497.x. View

18.

Satokari R, Gronroos T, Laitinen K, Salminen S, Isolauri E . Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus DNA in the human placenta. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2008; 48(1):8-12. DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-765X.2008.02475.x. View

19.

Kulski J, Hartmann P . Changes in human milk composition during the initiation of lactation. Aust J Exp Biol Med Sci. 1981; 59(1):101-14. DOI: 10.1038/icb.1981.6. View

20.

Bearfield C, Davenport E, Sivapathasundaram V, Allaker R . Possible association between amniotic fluid micro-organism infection and microflora in the mouth. BJOG. 2002; 109(5):527-33. DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2002.01349.x. View