ABSTRACT
The fact that the fecal bifidobacterial flora of the breast-fed infant differed from that of the bottle-fed infant had been recognized since the early 1950s. Most authors agree that bottle-fed infants have a variety of bifidobacterial species, including B. bifidum, B. adolescentis, B. breve, and B. longum, though there are plenty of detractors. Bifidobacterial flora in such infants is but one of consequences of breast feeding, which many believe is of benefit to the infant both on a short- and a long-term basis. Ever since artificial feeding was introduced into the field of pediatrics, there has been controversy regarding the merits of breast-feeding as opposed to bottle-feeding. An effect of breast feeding that can be demonstrated in vivo is the development of a predominantly bifidobacterial flora in the colon of the infant. The reason traditionally given for the fact that bifidobacteria predominate in the feces of the breast milk-fed infant is that human milk, contains factors that stimulate bifidobacterial growth.
