Childhood is a crucial period for building the gut microbiome, yet it remains one of its least studied phases. Le French Gut Kids aims to fill this gap by analyzing gut microbiota and lifestyle data from children and adolescents across France. The project seeks to better understand how early gut development may influence health throughout life.
Another reason to promote breastfeeding: It protects babies against antibiotic resistance
21 Oct 2025by Cristina Sáez
The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in children’s health, but factors such as cesarean birth and early antibiotic exposure can disrupt it. A new study shows that exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first month of life can help restore microbial balance and limit antibiotic resistance genes.
Scientists uncover common patterns in infant gut microbiome development on four continents
23 Jul 2025by Mónica Quinzo
The gut microbiome’s early development is essential for infant health, but does it follow the same path worldwide? A new study reveals that despite geographical and cultural differences, infants undergo similar microbial changes in their intestines. Understanding the universal patterns of early gut microbiome succession offers a promising avenue for improving infant health worldwide.
The microbial colonization of a baby's gut is primarily influenced by the mother's vaginal microbiota during birth and by breast milk. Two new studies have found for the first time that fathers also contribute to the establishment of the baby's microbiota, which could have health implications.
What lies beneath a dirty diaper? (Spoiler: thousands of unknown allied viruses!)
15 Nov 2023by Cristina Sáez
An international team of scientists has studied diaper samples of nearly 650 healthy 1-year-old babies for 5 years and has discovered 10,000 species of viruses, most of them unknown until now. Far from causing children to be sick, those viruses are thought to be true allies, playing an important role in protecting us from chronic diseases.
When do microbes first arrive in the intestinal tract and what does it mean for a newborn’s health?
23 Jan 2023by GMFH Editing Team
Dr. Hervé Blottière updates us on what current studies say about when bacteria first colonize the body and the impact of that process on infant health.
Early exposure to air pollution linked to negative changes in infant gut microbiota
25 Oct 2022by Cristina Sáez
Inhaling air pollutants during the first 6 months of life could affect a baby’s intestinal bacteria, causing changes in its composition associated with a higher risk of developing allergies, obesity and diabetes, and even influence brain development, concludes a new study.
What is bifidobacteria’s role in establishing a healthy infant gut microbiome and immune system?
20 Jun 2022by Andreu Prados
The role of the infant gut microbiome in immunological development is largely mediated by bifidobacteria. This article updates what factors affect bifidobacteria colonization in the gut and why bifidobacteria are relevant for infants, and reveals the groups of infants that will benefit from supplementation with bifidobacterial.
Assumed for a long-time immune system training started after birth, when mom’s microbiota started colonizing the newborn, Yale University scientists point out that process may have begun much earlier, in utero.
Although it was previously thought that the infant gut microbiota would attain an adult-like structure by the age of 3, recent studies have suggested that the gut community of microorganisms continues to evolve in both pre-adolescents and 20-year-olds.
