5. Macfarlane GT, Cummings JH: The colonic flora, fermentation, and
large bowel
digestive function. pp51-92, Chapter 4 In: The Large Intestine:
Physiology,
Pathophysiology, and Disease; edited by Phillips SF, Pemberton JH,
Shorter RG; Raven
Press, Ltd; New York, 1991.

     "The gastrointestinal tract of babies is inoculated with
     bacteria from the mothers' vaginal and fecal flora during
     birth... The newborn then acquires bacteria from the external
     environment and a succession of changes occurs in the
     composition of the microflora over the early weeks of life.
     Feeding appears to have a strong influence on the types of
     bacteria found in the infant gut. The flora of breast-fed
     infants differs from those who have been bottle-fed... Breast-
     fed babies harbor mainly bifido-bacteria with lesser numbers
     of entero-bacteria, whereas those fed a formula diet have a
     more complex microflora consisting of bifidobacteria,
     bacteriodes, clostridia, and streptococci... The greater
     complexity of microbial populations in the formula-fed infants
     is reflected in the diversity of fermentation products formed,
     including acetate, propionate, and butyrate, whereas acetate
     is the main SCFA produced in breast-fed babies..."

     "Conversion to an adult-type microflora occurs after weaning
     and by the second year of life, the gut microflora is similar
     to that of the adult. It is thought that these changes in the
     gut flora are due principally to the introduction of solid
     food in the diet, rather than to the effect of age per se..."

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