What they are and how they can support a baby’s natural immune system.
Breastmilk changes according to a baby’s needs. It varies from mother to mother and day to day. In fact, even during a feed the composition will change to match baby’s requirements.
However, breastmilk doesn’t just contain nutrition, it also has many other special components such as antibodies, a broad range of protective agents, and prebiotic oligosaccharides (OS). These offer many benefits to baby, such as a healthier gut flora and defence against potential infections.
The more research that takes place into breastmilk composition, the more knowledge we accumulate about the functional effects of all its individual elements, nutritional or otherwise. Also, as not all infants are breastfed for the recommended amount of time, it’s important that infant formulas continue to evolve, to try to mimic some of the functional benefits of breastmilk as closely as possible. This way, we hope to achieve some of the positive long term outcomes for those bottlefed as we see for those breastfed.
Below are some links to more information and articles about prebiotic OS
Innovation in everyday practiceNutritionist and Food Scientist, Jack Huitson, BSc (Hons), answers questions on prebiotic oligosaccharides and keeping up with the latest midwifery research. Q How can I help mothers encourage the growth of ‘friendly’ bacteria?A. The best way is ...Advances in infant nutrition: In search of a gut friendly formulaBreastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for babies. Breastfeeding is unanimously recognised as the optimal way to feed infants, with many benefits to mother and baby. As well as containing antibodies that protect against infection it provides baby with ...Prebiotic oligosaccharidesThe human gut is not sterile, but contains a huge number of micro-organisms (bacteria) that are first acquired at birth from the mother’s intestinal and vaginal flora. After this initial colonistion, the gut flora is affected by several factors, one ...What are Prebiotics?The prebiotics naturally present in breastmilk are non-digestible carbohydrates called oligosaccharides. Prebiotics are food for the friendly bacteria naturally present in baby’s gut and they encourage higher levels of friendly bacteria, such as bifidobacteria. ...Benefits of prebiotic oligosaccharidesTrials have consistently demonstrated that the prebiotic oligosaccharides (OS) that have been added to Cow & Gate milks, promote an increase in friendly bacteria (bifidobacteria) similar to breastfed infants. Cow & Gate have, over 10 years, achieved ...How can Prebiotics support baby`s Natural immune system?The body has a complex system of natural defences and active defence mechanisms that protect it against invading pathogens. The intestine is populated with trillions of friendly bacteria, which colonise the gut after birth. Once settled, these friendly bacteria ...What are the benefits of breastmilk?Breastmilk, which is specifically adapted to the needs of the newborn, provides several tiers of defence. Young infants are vulnerable to pathogens due to their immature defence systems. Breastmilk, which is specifically adapted to the needs of the newborn, ...
