Human milk probiotics: A natural innovation shaping maternal and infant health

By Dr. MONICA MARIA OLIVARES, RD&A Director, Women & Infant Health, Kerry

IN THE nutrition space, few windows are as critical as the first 1,000 days of life. From conception to age two, 80% of a child’s brain develops, shaping sensory systems, memory, and learning capacity. The gut and immune system mature rapidly, transitioning from a protected womb environment to one exposed to external challenges. It’s a period where nutrition can influence lifelong health outcomes, including susceptibility to chronic diseases, cognitive performance, and emotional resilience.

Breast milk is the gold standard for infant nutrition: it provides complete nourishment tailored to infant needs, has natural probiotics and prebiotics that help establish a healthy gut microbiome, and provides immune protection and developmental support. However, researchers are now turning their attention to a lesser known but powerful component within it: Human Milk Probiotics (HMPs).

These naturally occurring strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, such as Kerry’s range of LC40® (Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716) and BfM26® (Bifidobacterium breve CECT7263) HMPs, are emerging as valuable in supporting both infant development and maternal well-being, and are gaining attention among healthcare professionals and formulators alike.

The rise of probiotics in infant and maternal care

Across Asia Pacific, the probiotics market is booming, with a retail value of over USD 3.6 billion in 2024 and a projected CAGR of 6.3% through 2029¹. This growth reflects a broader shift toward preventative healthcare and rising interest in supplements and functional nutrition.

Within this evolving space, a new frontier is gaining momentum: specialist probiotics formulated specifically for mothers and infants. According to Kerry’s proprietary consumer research, 53.7% of women in Asia are actively seeking alternative solutions to support their pregnancy and breastfeeding journey. Meanwhile, 69.5% of parents are looking for products that can enhance their baby’s immune health and reduce the risk of future health issues.

These insights highlight the growing recognition of the microbiome’s role in early life and the demand for targeted, clinically supported solutions that align with modern parenting and wellness priorities.

Bridging the microbial gap in early life

Establishing a healthy gut microbiome in infancy is crucial for immunity, digestion, and even cognitive development. Yet not all babies receive the same microbial head start. Infants born via C-section or who are formula-fed often lack exposure to the beneficial bacteria naturally transferred during vaginal birth and breastfeeding.

This is where HMPs can make a difference. As strains originally isolated from breast milk, they are well adapted to the infant gut environment and can help close the microbial gap for at-risk populations.

Clinical research on LC40 has shown its ability to reduce gastrointestinal infections by 48% and respiratory infections by 27%, while supporting a gut microbiome more closely resembling that of breastfed infants. This suggests a reduction of antibiotic use, improvement in infant comfort, and lowering healthcare burdens.

Addressing breastfeeding challenges with microbial support

Breastfeeding, while beneficial, is not always easy. Mastitis, a painful inflammatory condition, affects up to 15% of breastfeeding mothers, often leading to early discontinuation. LC40 has demonstrated a 51% reduction in mastitis incidence in clinical studies, and mothers who consumed it also reported faster resolution of symptoms and improvements in emotional well.

Beyond physical relief, LC40 also helped alleviate psychological symptoms associated with mastitis. Women reported reductions in anxiety, sadness, and fear around breastfeeding, highlighting the holistic benefits of this probiotic intervention being compared to those treated with antibiotics.

The implications are significant for maternal health outcomes and breastfeeding continuation rates, especially in the early postpartum period where support is most needed.

Infant comfort and development: The role of BfM26

Colic remains one of the most distressing yet poorly understood conditions in early infancy. B. breve BfM26 has shown positive outcomes in reducing crying time and improving gut comfort, particularly in colicky infants. It does so by modulating the gut microbiota and helping reduce intestinal inflammation—a mode of action increasingly supported by microbiome research.

Beyond colic, BfM26 is also being explored for use in neonatal care. When administered alongside LC40 in preterm infants, the probiotic duo significantly reduced the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and lowered mortality rates, making a compelling case for HMPs in clinical settings.

Growth benefits and long-term potential

In addition to immediate health outcomes, emerging evidence suggests that HMPs may have longer-term developmental benefits. In one study, formula-fed infants who received LC40  showed improved length gains, with measurable differences persisting up to two years of age. This suggests HMPs may positively influence growth trajectories during a critical window of development.

For manufacturers of infant formula, maternal supplements, or neonatal nutrition solutions, HMPs offer a compelling intersection of natural origin, clinical efficacy, and consumer relevance. As demand grows for science-backed, microbiome-supportive products in the maternal and infant space, these strains represent an evidence-based approach to formulation.

Importantly, their safety profile has been validated across multiple populations, including full-term, preterm, and breastfeeding infants, making them suitable for broad application in early life nutrition.

Scientific backing of human milk probiotics

As the nutrition industry continues to explore microbiome-targeted solutions, Human Milk Probiotics like LC40 and BfM26 are standing out for their unique relevance to early life health. They represent a natural yet science-driven innovation, helping bridge biological gaps in modern birth and feeding practices while supporting better outcomes for both mother and baby.

With robust clinical backing and strong consumer interest in preventive, functional health, Human Milk Probiotics (HMPs) can play a defining role in the formulation of next-generation maternal and infant nutrition products.