Breastfeeding linked to healthy infant gut: Bacterial colonization leads to changes in the infant’s expression of genes

Breastfeeding linked to healthy infant gut: Bacterial colonization leads to changes in the infant’s expression of genes: Early colonization of the gut by microbes in infants is critical for development of their intestinal tract and in immune development. A new study shows that differences in bacterial colonization of formula-fed and breast-fed babies leads to changes in the infant’s expression of genes involved in the immune system, and in defense against pathogens.