The Critical Role of Lactic Acid Bacteria, Existing in Breast Milk, for the Neonatal and Maternal Health: A Review

Abstract

Mother’s milk provides numerous important and beneficial properties. In addition to its rich immunological factors and its role as a natural vaccine, it also contains a diverse microbiome that contributes to the gastrointestinal colonization of children. This review focuses on the role of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) found in breast milk, which play a key part in shaping the infant’s microbiota. LAB are also gaining attention for their potential use as probiotics, known for their ability to support and improve health without adverse side effects. Moreover, microbial metabolites present in breast milk have become the subject of growing interest, particularly regarding their influence on the development of the infant’s neurological and immune systems. Because LAB are classified as Generally Recognized As Safe, they hold promise for the development of safer vaccines, offering a gentler alternative to traditional pathogen-based vaccines, which are more difficult to administer and can irritate the skin. This review examines significant studies that highlight the important functions of LAB in breast milk and discusses their potential implications for infant and maternal health.