Breastfeeding and infant gut microbiota: Current evidence
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v15i5.51055Keywords:
Breast feeding, Gastrointestinal microbiome, Infant, Milk, Human, Lactation.Abstract
Breastfeeding is recognized as the ideal form of nutrition during the first months of life, not only because it provides adequate nutrients for infant growth and development, but also because it plays a key role in immune modulation and in the establishment of gut microbiota. This study aimed to review current evidence on the relationship between breastfeeding and infant gut microbiota. This is a descriptive, qualitative, and exploratory literature review conducted in the PubMed database using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH): Breast Feeding, Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Infant, Infant, Newborn, Milk, Human, and Lactation. Filters for free full-text publications from the last five years were applied, resulting in 30 studies. Data were analyzed interpretatively and organized into thematic axes. The findings indicate that breastfeeding is associated with a microbial profile more compatible with infant physiological development, contributing to immune maturation, maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity, and reduced colonization by potentially pathogenic microorganisms. It is concluded that human milk plays a central role in shaping infant gut microbiota, reinforcing the importance of exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Dhomylly Kayky da Silva Santos, Maria Gabriella Salgado Alexandre, Maria Clara Rodrigues Araújo, Fernanda Fernandes Ferreira, Rayssa Almeida Carneiro, Kézya Melo da Silva, Catarina Maria Barbosa da Silva Carrilho, Rute Nascimento da Silva, Karine Guedes Cavalcante Figueiredo, Paula Germana Barbosa Monteiro Melo, Dayana Cabral Bernardes
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