A new series of studies state an infant's immune system development and susceptibility to asthma and allergies may be influenced not only by breastfeeding, but also gestational age at birth and whether or not the infant was delivered by Cesarean section.

"For years now, we've always thought that a sterile environment was not good for babies. Our research shows why. Exposures to these micro-organisms, or bacteria, in the first few months after birth actually help stimulate the immune system", said Dr. Christine Cole Johnson, chair of the Department of Public Health Sciences at Henry Ford Hospital.

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"The immune system is designed to be exposed to bacteria on a grand scale. If you minimize those exposures, the immune system won't develop optimally,"

The study reveals that at one and six months, breastfed babies had specific gut microbiome compositions, and researchers say it may affect immune system development for the better. The findings further support the "hygiene hypothesis" - the idea that early childhood exposure to pathogens affects later-life risk of disease.

Stools were collected from babies ages one to six month olds to study the microbiome.

Analysis revealed that factors affecting an infant's gut bacteria are race/ethnicity, an infant's gestational age at birth, prenatal and postnatal tobacco smoke exposure, the presence of pets in the home and whether a baby was born via Cesarean section or vaginal delivery and breastfeeding.

In addition, researchers discovered babies that were breastfed at one month were at lower risk of pet-related allergies.

Dr. Johnson gave her interpretation of the overall set of studies - exposure to higher and more diverse environmental bacteria can actually boost the immune system against allergies and asthma.

Tagsbreastfeeding, immune system, baby, infant, microbiome, bacteria, allergies, asthma