Choosing a Probiotic for Infant Use: Why Bacterial Strain Matters

The composition of the infant gut microbiome is an important factor in postnatal intestinal and immune development. Probiotics can be beneficial in establishing a functional gut microbiome in early life, but key information is needed when selecting a product for infant use. For the highest likelihood of success, be sure to ask two important questions: 1) is the bacterial species naturally adapted to colonize the infant gut and 2) is there a clinically-demonstrated mechanism of action in infants for the specific strain of bacteria provided? If the answer to both questions is unclear, it’s best to keep looking.