Bifidobacteria: The friendly bacteria supporting immune system development

Summary

Bifidobacteria is a crucial genus within the human gut microbiome, especially important in children for supporting the immune system, improving gut health, and enhancing cognition.
Several factors, including feeding mode, birth method, and antibiotic use, can influence the levels of Bifidobacteria.
Low levels of Bifidobacteria in the first year of life are associated with a higher risk of allergies and other immune-mediated conditions such as eczema, atopy, and asthma.
Levels of Bifidobacteria can be supported in many ways, for example through breastfeeding, probiotics, and a diet that encourages their growth. That means there are steps we can take to improve them!

What are Bifidobacteria?

‍

Bifidobacteria are a special group of beneficial bacteria vital for babies' gut health. These helpful microbes are among the first to settle in the newborn gut and play several key roles:

‍

Utilizing HMOs: They are particularly adept at utilizing human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) found in breast milk. HMOs are complex sugars that infants cannot digest but serve as food for Bifidobacteria, helping them flourish and perform vital functions [1].
Fermenting dietary fibers: Bifidobacteria help in the fermentation of dietary fibers, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy gut [2].
Supporting immune defenses: They play a significant role in supporting the immune system by strengthening gut barriers and preventing harmful pathogens [2].

‍

Although Bifidobacteria levels naturally decline with age [3], they continue to be important for gut health throughout life. Understanding the critical role of Bifidobacteria in early life is essential for building a healthy foundation for your child's long-term well-being.

‍

At Alba Health, we can assist by:

‍

Detecting and measuring Bifidobacteria levels at different stages of your child's growth.
Providing valuable insights into your child's gut health and immune system development.
Empowering you to make informed decisions to support your child's overall well-being.

‍

In the next section, we'll explore why Bifidobacteria are so essential for babies and how they contribute to their early development.

Want to learn more about Alba and Children's Gut Health? Join our weekly, free Instagram Lives with experts in child health to learn more.

The Importance of Bifidobacteria in Babies

‍

Early Colonizers of the Gut: From birth, your baby's gut undergoes a remarkable transformation, becoming home to many of the mother’s microbes from the birth canal, skin, and environment [4],[5]. Bifidobacteria are crucial early colonizers that help build a strong foundation for your baby’s digestive health and immune system [6],[7].

Support for Immune Balance: These beneficial bacteria help maintain a balanced immune response in the gut, reducing the risk of conditions like eczema, allergies, and asthma [8],[9],[10],[11].
Long-Term Health Benefits: Healthy levels of Bifidobacteria in childhood can lead to better health outcomes later in life, including lower risks of obesity, diabetes, and mental health disorders [12],[13],[14],[15].
Reducing Gut Discomfort: Specific types of Bifidobacteria, like B. longum infantis, B. bifidum, and B. breve, feed on HMOs from breast milk and are often included in baby probiotic supplements. They help reduce intestinal discomfort and support a healthy immune response [16],[17],[18],[19].
Immune System Training: Bifidobacteria help train your baby’s immune system by interacting with the gut lining and immune cells to develop immune tolerance and control inflammatory responses. This early interaction can prepare the body to effectively respond to environmental challenges [20],[21],[22].
Production of Beneficial Metabolites: Bifidobacteria produce essential vitamins and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like acetate and lactate, which support gut health. They also promote the growth of other beneficial bacteria [23],[24].
Brain Development and Improved Cognition: Bifidobacteria in the child's gut produce metabolites that support gut-brain communication, crucial for neurodevelopment. Higher levels of Bifidobacteria have been associated with positive emotional traits like soothability and surgency, while specific types have been linked to better cognitive functions and emotional regulation [14].

‍

Understanding the role of Bifidobacteria in your child’s health highlights their importance from the very beginning of life. These friendly bacteria help support the immune system, maintain gut health, enhance cognitive function, and contribute to overall wellness, laying the foundation for a healthier future.

‍

Factors Influencing Bifidobacteria Levels

‍

Several factors can influence the levels of Bifidobacteria in your baby's gut. While some factors are beyond your control, understanding them is crucial for taking proactive steps to support your baby's health:

‍

Feeding Mode: Bifidobacteria flourish on HMOs found in breast milk, leading to higher levels of these beneficial bacteria in breastfed babies. Formula-fed babies may not receive the same diversity of prebiotics, potentially resulting in lower levels of Bifidobacteria [25].
Birth Mode: The birth mode impacts the initial microbiome profile of your child. Babies delivered vaginally are exposed to diverse microbes from the birth canal, typically leading to early colonization by Bifidobacteria. Cesarean-delivered infants may have delayed or altered microbial colonization patterns [26],[27].
Antibiotic Use: Antibiotics can decrease Bifidobacteria levels. Early antibiotic exposure can cause lasting reductions in both the abundance and diversity of Bifidobacterial types [28],[29],[30].
Gestational Age: Pre-term babies often experience delayed gut colonization, complicating their developmental trajectory in the gut microbiome [8],[31].
Mother’s Genetics: The genetic makeup of the mother can influence the composition of breast milk, affecting the growth and activity of Bifidobacteria [4].
Maternal Stress and Overall Health: Maternal stress during pregnancy can reduce levels of Bifidobacteria [32]. Allergic mothers may also have lower Bifidobacteria counts in their breast milk [33].
Babies in Industrialized Nations: Research indicates that Bifidobacteria levels in babies in industrialized societies have significantly decreased due to changes in diet, antibiotic use, and reduced microbial exposure [34].

‍

Increasing your child’s levels of Bifidobacteria

‍

Ensuring your baby has a healthy level of Bifidobacteria can be crucial for their overall well-being and development. It's important to note that not all options are suitable for everyone. However, understanding these options can help you make informed decisions that best suit your circumstances.

‍

1. Breastfeeding

‍

Nourishes Bifidobacteria: Bifidobacteria thrive on HMOs found in breast milk, producing beneficial metabolites like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These metabolites strengthen the gut barrier and support the immune system [1],[4].
Provides Immune Protection: Breast milk contains immunologically active components that shape the baby’s gut microbiota and offer protection against pathogens, enhancing the baby's overall health [4],[8].

‍

2. Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs)

‍

Support Growth of Bifidobacteria: Bifidobacteria consume HMOs, which are compounds often found in human breast milk [35],[36]. Formula-fed babies might lack HMOs in their diet, affecting Bifidobacteria growth [35].
Offer Supplementation Option: About 20% of breastfeeding mothers do not produce HMOs in their breast milk [4]. In such cases, HMO supplementation has shown promising (but not yet conclusive) results in supporting Bifidobacteria growth [37],[38].

‍

3. If Breastfeeding Isn't Possible

‍

Provide Alternatives: Not all mothers can or want to breastfeed, and that is perfectly understandable. Consulting with healthcare practitioners is important as they can recommend a formula that closely mimics breast milk's composition, ensuring that your baby receives the necessary nutrients and benefits for healthy development.
Use Expressed Breast Milk: Expressed breast milk may be another option that provides beneficial nutrients and promotes Bifidobacteria growth.

‍

4. Be Cautious about Antibiotics

‍

Disrupt Gut Health: Both prenatal and postnatal antibiotic use can disrupt the natural development of an infant’s gut microbiota. If antibiotics are necessary, consider discussing probiotic supplementation with your healthcare provider to help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria.
Reduce Bifidobacteria Levels: Antibiotics can significantly reduce the levels of Bifidobacteria, so it’s important to take proactive steps to support their growth [28],[29],[30].

‍

5. Probiotic Supplementation

‍

Boost Gut Health: Probiotics that include Bifidobacterium strains can be particularly beneficial for babies, especially those born via C-section, not exclusively breastfed, or for babies of mothers who do not secrete HMOs in their breast milk [4].
Ensure Quality: Not all probiotics are created equal. Different species, strains, and mixtures exist, and not all supplements are of good quality. Consulting with healthcare practitioners can help you choose the best probiotic supplements for your baby.

‍

6. Maternal Diet and Lifestyle

‍

The diet and lifestyle of a breastfeeding mother play crucial roles in shaping both her own gut microbiota and that of her baby.

‍

Diet: Consuming a diverse array of whole foods like vegetables and fruits and minimizing processed foods can significantly enhance the proliferation of beneficial gut bacteria [39]. Fermented foods can also be beneficial for the gut microbiome, but they should be added to the diet in small amounts at first [40].
Lifestyle: Regular physical activity and stress management are important factors that contribute positively to the overall health of the microbiota [8].

‍

7. Diet for Babies After Introducing Solids

‍

Include Whole Foods: After introducing solid foods into the baby's diet, it is beneficial to include whole foods, lots of vegetables and fruits, and minimize highly processed foods.
Support Bifidobacteria Levels: Foods containing the fiber inulin seem to support Bifidobacteria levels. Fermented foods can also be beneficial, but they should be added to the diet in small amounts [41].

‍

8. Early Skin-to-Skin Contact

‍

Facilitates Microbial Transfer: Especially for preterm infants, maintaining early and consistent skin-to-skin contact can facilitate the transfer of beneficial microbes, including Bifidobacteria, from mother to infant [42].
Builds a Strong Foundation: This practice helps in building a strong foundation for your baby’s gut health right from the start.

‍

Key Takeaways on Bifidobacteria

‍

Critical Role: Bifidobacteria are essential for early life, helping train the immune system and improve cognition.
High Levels: High levels of Bifidobacteria in the first year of life, particularly types like B. breve, B. bifidum, and B. longum subs. infantis, support immune balance, digestive health, and cognitive development by producing beneficial metabolites.
Low Levels: Low Bifidobacteria levels in the first year of life are associated with higher risks of allergies and immune-related issues.
Maternal Transmission: Bifidobacteria are transmitted from the mother at birth and during breastfeeding, supported by HMOs.
Genetic Influence: The genetic makeup of mothers affects HMO production. Secretor mothers produce high levels of HMOs beneficial for Bifidobacteria growth, while non-secretor mothers have lower levels.
Industrialized Nations: Children born in industrialized nations are losing Bifidobacteria due to changes in diet, antibiotic use, and reduced microbial exposure.
Microbiome Testing: Alba Health can detect Bifidobacteria levels through a microbiome test, helping you understand and support your baby’s gut health.
Increasing Levels: Bifidobacteria can be boosted in many ways, like through breastfeeding, HMO-supplemented formulas, probiotics, and a diet rich in fiber (e.g. inulin).

‍

Written by: Alba Health Team

Scientifically reviewed by: Nikola Daskova, PhD

‍

Do you want to discover your child's gut health? Alba's pioneering test helps you discover you child's gut health and guides you on how to improve it, with the help of a certified Nutrition & Health Coach.

References

[1] A. Marcobal and J. L. Sonnenburg, “Human milk oligosaccharide consumption by intestinal microbiota,” Clin. Microbiol. Infect., vol. 18, no. SUPPL. 4, pp. 12–15, 2012, doi: 10.1111/j.1469-0691.2012.03863.x.

‍

[2] M. Derrien, F. Turroni, M. Ventura, and D. van Sinderen, “Insights into endogenous Bifidobacterium species in the human gut microbiota during adulthood,” Trends Microbiol., vol. 30, no. 10, pp. 940–947, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2022.04.004.

‍

[3] T. Yatsunenko, F. E. Rey, M. J. Manary, and I. Trehan, “Human gut microbiome viewed across age and geography,” Nature, vol. 486, no. 7402, pp. 222–227, 2012, doi: 10.1038/nature11053.

‍

[4] K. Korpela and W. M. de Vos, “Infant gut microbiota restoration: state of the art,” Gut Microbes, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 1–14, 2022, doi: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2118811.

‍

[5] C. R. Bakshani and L. I. Crouch, “Human milk oligosaccharides and Bifidobacterium species,” Trends Microbiol., vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 118–119, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.11.015.

‍

[6] K. Korpela et al., “Selective maternal seeding and environment shape the human gut microbiome,” Genome Res., vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 561–568, 2018, doi: 10.1101/gr.233940.117.

‍

[7] C. Feehily et al., “Detailed mapping of Bifidobacterium strain transmission from mother to infant via a dual culture-based and metagenomic approach,” Nat. Commun., vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 1–14, 2023, doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-38694-0.

‍

[8] C. Milani et al., “The First Microbial Colonizers of the Human Gut : Composition, Activities, and Health Implications of the Infant Gut Microbiota,” Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev., vol. 81, no. 4, pp. 1–67, 2017.

‍

[9] K. E. Fujimura, A. R. Sitarik, S. Havstad, and D. L. Lin, “Neonatal gut microbiota associates with childhood multi–sensitized atopy and T–cell differentiation,” Nat Med., vol. 22, no. 10, pp. 1187–1191, 2016, doi: 10.1038/nm.4176.

‍

[10] M. Kalliomäki, P. Kirjavainen, E. Eerola, P. Kero, S. Salminen, and E. Isolauri, “Distinct patterns of neonatal gut microflora in infants in whom atopy was and was not developing,” J. Allergy Clin. Immunol., vol. 107, no. 1, pp. 129–134, 2001, doi: 10.1067/mai.2001.111237.

‍

[11] J. Stokholm et al., “Maturation of the gut microbiome and risk of asthma in childhood,” Nat. Commun., vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 1–10, 2018, doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-02573-2.

‍

[12] K. Korpela et al., “Childhood BMI in relation to microbiota in infancy and lifetime antibiotic use,” Microbiome, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 1–9, 2017, doi: 10.1186/s40168-017-0245-y.

‍

[13] M. Kalliomäki, M. C. Collado, S. Salminen, and E. Isolauri, “Early differences in fecal microbiota composition in children may predict overweight,” Am. J. Clin. Nutr., vol. 87, no. 3, pp. 534–538, 2008, doi: 10.1093/ajcn/87.3.534.

‍

[14] S. Saturio et al., “Role of bifidobacteria on infant health,” Microorganisms, vol. 9, no. 12, pp. 1–29, 2021, doi: 10.3390/microorganisms9122415.

‍

[15] C. Hidalgo-Cantabrana, S. Delgado, L. Ruiz, P. Ruas-Madiedo, B. Sánchez, and A. Margolles, “Bifidobacteria and Their Health-Promoting Effect,” Microbiol. Spectr., vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 1–19, 2017, doi: 10.1128/microbiolspec.BAD-0010-2016.

‍

[16] M. J. Kwak et al., “Evolutionary architecture of the infant-adapted group of Bifidobacterium species associated with the probiotic function,” Syst. Appl. Microbiol., vol. 39, no. 7, pp. 429–439, 2016, doi: 10.1016/j.syapm.2016.07.004.

‍

[17] V. K. Batta, S. C. Rao, and S. K. Patole, “Bifidobacterium infantis as a probiotic in preterm infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis,” Pediatr. Res., vol. 94, no. 6, pp. 1887–1905, 2023, doi: 10.1038/s41390-023-02716-w.

‍

[18] M. F. Laursen et al., “Bifidobacterium species associated with breastfeeding produce aromatic lactic acids in the infant gut,” Nat. Microbiol., vol. 6, no. 11, pp. 1367–1382, 2021, doi: 10.1038/s41564-021-00970-4.

‍

[19] R. Tojo et al., “Intestinal microbiota in health and disease: Role of bifidobacteria in gut homeostasis,” World J. Gastroenterol., vol. 20, no. 41, pp. 15163–15176, 2014, doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i41.15163.

‍

[20] B. M. Henrick et al., “Bifidobacteria-mediated immune system imprinting early in life,” Cell, vol. 184, no. 15, pp. 3884-3898.e11, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.05.030.

‍

[21] K. Vogel et al., “Bifidobacteria shape antimicrobial T-helper cell responses during infancy and adulthood,” Nat. Commun., vol. 14, no. 1, 2023, doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-41630-x.

‍

[22] L. Ruiz, S. Delgado, P. Ruas-Madiedo, B. Sánchez, and A. Margolles, “Bifidobacteria and their molecular communication with the immune system,” Front. Microbiol., vol. 8, no. DEC, pp. 1–9, 2017, doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02345.

‍

[23] N. T. Devika and K. Raman, “Deciphering the metabolic capabilities of Bifidobacteria using genome-scale metabolic models,” Sci. Rep., vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 1–9, 2019, doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-54696-9.

‍

[24] G. A. Stuivenberg, J. P. Burton, P. A. Bron, and G. Reid, “Why Are Bifidobacteria Important for Infants?,” Microorganisms, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 1–11, 2022, doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10020278.

‍

[25] R. Martin et al., “Early-Life events, including mode of delivery and type of feeding, siblings and gender, shape the developing gut microbiota,” PLoS One, vol. 11, no. 6, pp. 1–30, 2016, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158498.

‍

[26] M. G. Dominguez-Bello et al., “Delivery mode shapes the acquisition and structure of the initial microbiota across multiple body habitats in newborns,” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A., vol. 107, no. 26, pp. 11971–11975, 2010, doi: 10.1073/pnas.1002601107.

‍

[27] G. Biasucci, M. Rubini, S. Riboni, L. Morelli, E. Bessi, and C. Retetangos, “Mode of delivery affects the bacterial community in the newborn gut,” Early Hum. Dev., vol. 86, no. SUPPL. 1, pp. 13–15, 2010, doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2010.01.004.

‍

[28] F. Fouhy et al., “High-throughput sequencing reveals the incomplete, short-term recovery of infant gut microbiota following parenteral antibiotic treatment with ampicillin and gentamicin,” Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., vol. 56, no. 11, pp. 5811–5820, 2012, doi: 10.1128/AAC.00789-12.

‍

[29] A. Uzan-Yulzari et al., “Neonatal antibiotic exposure impairs child growth during the first six years of life by perturbing intestinal microbial colonization,” Nat. Commun., vol. 12, no. 1, 2021, doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-20495-4.

‍

[30] A. Nogacka et al., “Impact of intrapartum antimicrobial prophylaxis upon the intestinal microbiota and the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in vaginally delivered full-term neonates,” Microbiome, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 1–10, 2017, doi: 10.1186/s40168-017-0313-3.

‍

[31] C. J. Hill et al., “Evolution of gut microbiota composition from birth to 24 weeks in the INFANTMET Cohort,” Microbiome, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 1–18, 2017, doi: 10.1186/s40168-016-0213-y.

‍

[32] M. A. C. Zijlmans, K. Korpela, J. M. Riksen-Walraven, W. M. de Vos, and C. de Weerth, “Maternal prenatal stress is associated with the infant intestinal microbiota,” Psychoneuroendocrinology, vol. 53, pp. 233–245, 2015, doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.01.006.

‍

[33] M. M. Grönlund et al., “Maternal breast-milk and intestinal bifidobacteria guide the compositional development of the Bifidobacterium microbiota in infants at risk of allergic disease,” Clin. Exp. Allergy, vol. 37, no. 12, pp. 1764–1772, 2007, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2007.02849.x.

‍

[34] M. R. Olm et al., “Robust variation in infant gut microbiome assembly across a spectrum of lifestyles,” Science, vol. 376, no. 6598, pp. 1220–1223, 2022, doi: 10.1126/science.abj2972.

‍

[35] M. Dinleyici, J. Barbieur, E. C. Dinleyici, and Y. Vandenplas, “Functional effects of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs),” Gut Microbes, vol. 15, no. 1, 2023, doi: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2186115.

‍

[36] C. Walsh, J. A. Lane, D. Van Sinderen, and R. M. Hickey, “Human milk oligosaccharides: Shaping the infant gut microbiota and supporting health,” J. Funct. Foods, vol. 72, no. January, 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2020.104074.

‍

[37] G. Puccio et al., “Effects of infant formula with human milk oligosaccharides on growth and morbidity: A randomized multicenter trial,” J. Pediatr. Gastroenterol. Nutr., vol. 64, no. 4, pp. 624–631, 2017, doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000001520.

‍

[38] K. C. Goehring, B. J. Marriage, J. S. Oliver, J. A. Wilder, E. G. Barrett, and R. H. Buck, “Similar to those who are breastfed, infants fed a formula containing 2’-fucosyllactose have lower inflammatory cytokines in a randomized controlled trial,” J. Nutr., vol. 146, no. 12, pp. 2559–2566, 2016, doi: 10.3945/jn.116.236919.

‍

[39] D. McDonald et al., “American Gut: an Open Platform for Citizen Science Microbiome Research,” mSystems, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 1–28, 2018, [Online]. Available: http://humanfoodproject.com/

‍

[40] H. C. Wastyk et al., “Gut-microbiota-targeted diets modulate human immune status,” Cell, vol. 184, no. 16, pp. 4137-4153.e14, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.06.019.

‍

[41] T. Fernandes, “Fermented Food Guidelines for Children,” J. Pediatr. Pediatr. Med., vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 1–4, 2018, doi: 10.29245/2578-2940/2018/1.1111.

‍

[42] P. Ferretti et al., “Mother-to-Infant Microbial Transmission from Different Body Sites Shapes the Developing Infant Gut Microbiome,” Cell Host Microbe, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 133-145.e5, 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2018.06.005.

‍