Formula-fed babies are at higher risk of infections than breastfed babies, but a new study suggests a probiotic supplement could help close that gap. The supplement combined probiotics with sugars naturally present in breast milk, and it significantly reduced the chance that formula-fed infants would catch respiratory viruses, New Scientist reports.
Breast milk contains compounds that support infant immunity, and these sugars appear to play a role. When added to a probiotic for formula-fed babies, the mixture seemed to provide some of that protective effect. The coverage describes the reduction as a slashed risk, though it does not give a specific figure.
The report is based on a single study covered by New Scientist, so no conflicting findings are noted. Still, the results offer a promising direction for improving respiratory health in infants who are not breastfed.