In January 2012, the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition published two studies involving healthy babies who benefited from special infant formula.

In one of the studies, 172 healthy 6-week-old infants were given a formula that contained the beneficial probiotic bacteria Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis (Bb12), or a plain formula for six weeks. These two groups were then compared to a breast-fed group. The researchers tested various immune system markers via fecal samples and found that the probiotic formula “significantly enhanced immunity,” especially in babies delivered by cesarean section (C-section).

Both of the studies were led by Kelly Tappenden, PhD, who is with the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois. She noted that the improved immune response was especially significant in the C-section group because those babies are more susceptible to infection. When a baby is born naturally, it isexposed to the mother’s bacteria as it travels through the birth canal, which helps it develop potent immune-stimulating bacteria. C-section babies are born into a sterile environment without exposure to the mother’s bacteria.

“The beneficial bacteria that live in a baby’s intestine are all-important to an infant’s health, growth and ability to fight off infections,” explained Tappenden. “Breast-fed babies acquire this protection naturally. Formula-fed infants get sick more easily because the bacteria in their gut are always changing.”

In the second study, Tappenden and her colleagues added oligosaccharides, which are known as prebiotics, to the formula. Prebiotics are food ingredients that promote the health and activity of beneficial bacteria in the gut. This 6-week study featured 139 healthy babies who were also divided into two and then compared immune parameters to breast-fed babies. One group was given formula with prebiotics and the other group received plain formula without prebiotics and the study lasted six weeks.

Fecal samples showed there was an improvement in the number of beneficial bacteria in the babies who were fed the prebiotic formula. The prebiotic group also had a decrease in the types of bacteria that are known to cause illness in infants.