Importance Establishment of the infant microbiome has lifelong implications on health and
immunity. Gut microbiota of breastfed compared with nonbreastfed individuals differ during
infancy as well as into adulthood. Breast milk contains a diverse population of bacteria, but
little is known about the vertical transfer of bacteria from mother to infant by breastfeeding.
Objective To determine the association between the maternal breast milk and areolar skin
and infant gut bacterial communities. Design, Setting, and Participants In a prospective …