The human microbiome (gut bacteria) is established at birth and throughout the first few years of life. It is now recognised that establishing a robust and balanced gut microbiome is vital to support health and by three years of age, the composition of the microbiome is fixed for life. 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 breast fed babies
ProVen For Breast Fed Babies has been developed specifically for breast 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.
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.
There are two ProVen Biotics products for babies – one for breast feeding and one for formula feeding. ProVen Biotics For Formula Fed Babies contains prebiotic fibre, galactooligosaccharides (GOS), derived from the lactose in milk and naturally present in breast milk, and fructooligosaccharides (FOS), derived from fruit and vegetables.