The human microbiome (gut bacteria) is established at birth and throughout the first few years of life and it is now recognised that establishing a robust and balanced gut microbiome is vital to support health. By three years of age, the composition of the microbiome is mostly fixed for life and founding a healthy balanced microbiome as soon after birth as possible is critical in supporting the development of healthy immune and digestive function.
This foundation is influenced during pregnancy, childbirth and breast feeding and is also affected by factors such as type of birth (caesarean section or vaginal), medication (particularly antibiotics), diet and our modern sterile, bacteria-free living conditions.
Developed specifically for formula-fed babies
ProVen For Formula Fed Babies has been developed specifically for formula fed babies from newborn to around 3 years of age to help support the development of the microbiome. It contains the Lab4B group of four types of good bacteria, which naturally form part of the microflora population of infants, along with prebiotic fibres naturally found in breast milk.
Lab4B contains two strains of Bifidobacteria and two strains of Lactobacillus for babies – Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifdobacterium animalis subsp. lactis, Lactobacillus salivarius and Lactobacillus paracasei. The Lab4B friendly bacteria were used in the Swansea Baby Study of 454 mother and baby pairs carried out over five years.
The prebiotics in ProVen For Formula Fed Babies are galactooligosaccharides (GOS), derived from the lactose in milk and naturally present in breast milk, and fructooligosaccharides (FOS), derived from fruit and vegetables.
There are two ProVen products developed specifically for babies – one for formula feeding and one for breast feeding. ProVen For Breast Fed Babies does not contain prebiotics as these are naturally present in breast milk.