Bifidobacterium Infantis: Is Your Baby Missing This Important Gut Bacteria?

Your baby might be missing a critical gut bacteria. But here's the thing…you're in really good company.

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Actually, 9 out of 10 babies are born without it nowadays. 

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It’s called…

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Bifidobacterium infantis. 🦠

And your pediatrician probably didn't tell you about this. If they didn't, don't worry…

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They probably don't know about it. 

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Honestly, breakthrough science often stays locked away in academic circles, never reaching the families who need it most.

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That’s why this year, Persephone Biosciences released a prebiotic and probiotic designed specifically for your baby's developing gut. 

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And their mission? To make sure moms, families, and doctors understand why this missing bacteria matters—and what we can do about it.

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Why Is Everyone Missing This Bacteria?

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Gut bacteria are one of nature's most… elegant… gifts? 

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I mean, we’re talking poop here. 💩

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So, why is this so important? 

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Well, missing this bacteria is kind of a big deal. If you don’t have a balanced gut, your whole body can be at a higher risk for disease, hormonal issues, allergies, and more. 

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And if you don’t have these important bacteria, your baby won’t have it either. It creates a cycle. One we’ve been repeating for generations. 

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So what happened? Why are so many babies missing what they should naturally have? The truth is, it's not one thing. 

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It's the perfect storm of modern life:

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Formula feeding. Historically, formula didn't contain these bacteria. And when breastfeeding rates hit an all-time low in the 1970s, fewer babies were getting exposed to these protective microbes.

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Antibiotics. While they save lives, they also wipe out the good bacteria.

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C-section births. Babies born via C-section miss out on the beneficial bacteria from their mother's microbiome.

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Poor diet. These bacteria are incredibly fragile. They're anaerobic, meaning they die in the presence of oxygen. They need careful nourishment to thrive, and modern eating patterns aren't always supporting that.

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Modern lifestyle. The way we live today has fundamentally changed the bacterial landscape our bodies used to maintain naturally.

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And then there's the biggest factor of all: nobody's talking about it. 🚫

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Most healthcare providers aren't aware that this research exists. Most moms haven't heard about it. And the science stays siloed in academic circles, never making its way to the families who need it most.

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The Research on Bifidobacterium Infantis That Changed Everything

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That’s why Stephanie Culler and her team at Persephone Biosciences conducted the My Baby Biome Study…

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The largest and most diverse infant microbiome study ever conducted in the United States.

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Researchers looked at 412 infants, collecting multiple poop samples when they were newborns, at age one, and at age three. Using advanced DNA sequencing, they could identify every single bacterium. 

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What they found was striking: 

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9 out of 10 babies were missing one or more types of critical bacteria. Specifically, Bifidobacterium infantis, which should be in every baby’s belly. But now it’s only found in about 2-8% of US babies. 

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Why does this matter? 

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Because these bacteria aren't just hanging out in your baby's gut for fun. They're essential for developing a healthy immune system. They produce specific signals that teach your baby's immune system how to function properly. Without them, immune development goes off track, and that's linked to chronic disease down the line.

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Also, babies are born with only about 12 types of microbes. (You and I have several hundred). These bacteria are supposed to be foundational, setting up your baby's entire immune landscape for life.

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You can read the study published in Nature here.

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The Poop Solution: Stephanie’s Approach

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Stephanie Culler, a microbiome scientist and founder of Persephone Biosciences, didn't set out to create a probiotic supplement. 

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When her daughter was six months old, a leading pediatric clinician pointed out something remarkable: the same microbiome repair techniques used for cancer patients could solve this infant gut crisis.

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That conversation sparked a mission. And this year, that mission became a product.

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Using AI to analyze the research data, Culler's team identified three key Bifidobacterium species essential for baby health:  Infantis, longum, and breve. 

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But here's what makes their approach different: 

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They formulated it with TWO strains of B. infantis because US babies actually have two different types. By including both, they're giving every baby the best chance to colonize at least one.

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The formulation itself has three thoughtful components:

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The probiotics contain those carefully selected bacterial strains. And nothing like it exists on the market. These bacteria are notoriously difficult to isolate because they die when exposed to oxygen.

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The prebiotics feature a first-of-its-kind blend of human milk oligosaccharides (the same carbohydrates from breast milk). They feed the bacteria, help kill pathogens, and even support brain development.

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Plus vitamin D, delivered in powder form so you skip the messy drops.

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The entire formulation was tested using Persephone's proprietary "microbiome on a chip" technology, which simulates a baby's gut environment in the lab. They screened it against hundreds of real baby microbiomes, looking for growth, immune signaling, and inflammation reduction.

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What the Clinical Research Shows

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At Persephone Biosciences, safety was the top priority. Their randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study looked at both infants and toddlers to prove this product actually works.

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As a mom of littles, here's what you need to know: this product is safe and effective. 💙

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The research showed:

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• It’s extremely safe and well-tolerated by babies
• The product actually colonizes and grows in your baby's gut (it's not just passing through)
• Production of the right signals for your baby’s immune system development
• Measurably reduces inflammation

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Beyond the clinical study, parents reported additional benefits:

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• Better digestion and more regular bowel movements
• Statistically significant improvements in sleep
• Increased appetite
• Reduced eczema and food allergies (being studied further)

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You can use it daily for long-term immune development and gut health, or target it toward specific situations such as colic, constipation, sleep issues, or during cold and flu season. 

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Why Your Pediatrician Hasn't Mentioned This

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Pediatricians see these problems daily: 

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Constipation, C. diff infections, rising eczema, and food allergies. And they recognize these issues are connected to the microbiome.

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But they've never had a solution to offer you. And breakthrough research takes time to make its way from academic journals to clinical practice.

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That’s why Stephanie spent time at the American Academy of Pediatrics meeting talking with over 600 pediatricians and healthcare providers. Their message was consistent: 

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"We believe in this. Give us materials to understand it and share it with our patients."

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That's the real gap. Pediatricians care deeply about their patients. That’s why Persephone Bioscience is working to unlock this complex research so you can have access to it. 

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Your Mom Flex: Restoring Bifidobacterium Infantis

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Modern life has changed our babies' microbiomes in ways previous generations never experienced. It's just reality.

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That's why your baby's gut bacteria matter for immediate health and lifelong immunity. And now, you know what to look for and what questions to ask.

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Start that conversation with your pediatrician. Explore research-backed options. Check out Persephone Bioscience’s products. 

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You've got this! 

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And hey, at least now when someone asks what you're reading about, you can casually drop "Bifidobacterium infantis" into conversation. Peak mom flex. 💪

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Meet Katie, She Wrote This!

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Hi, I’m Katie Bridgewater, a freelance copywriter, avid reader, wifey, and mama. I help maternal wellness brands write marketing campaigns that resonate and perform. I truly believe the right products and services should get into the right hands.

💙Follow + connect with Katie on LinkedIn and check out her website. 

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