Early life nutrition is a critical period for growth, development and establishing the gut microbiota to maximize health benefits. Microbial colonization, diversity and trajectory differ from infancy onwards, and is heavily affected by diet. Hence, the two lectures will discuss how the first foods for infants can shape the quality of the microbiome, and how the complex interaction between bioactives from human milk and the microbiota can support immunity.

Breastmilk, with its human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) promote the growth of Bifidobacterium species providing physiological effects that may contribute to protection against infectious and immune-related diseases. Complementary feeding on the other hand, with early introduction of dietary fibers and new protein sources, induces a shift in the gut microbiota and metabolism towards a more mature and diverse ecology.