Bifidobacteria

Bifidobacteria are the dominant beneficial bacteria in the infant gut and a critical driver of healthy microbiome development. The clinically validated Bifidobacteria species for infant gut health are B. infantis, B. longum, B. bifidum, and B. breve. Bifidobacteria continue to support children and adults by producing lactate and acetate and cross-feeding other beneficial short-chain fatty acid producers. B. dentium and B. adolescentis should not dominate the infant gut. Targeted supplementation may be necessary when a mother lacks B. infantis and cannot pass it on.