David PerlmutterPresident,, Perlmutter Health Center · Board-Certified Neurologist | Functional Medicine Pioneer | #1 New York Times Best-Selling Author | International Speaker | Host of The Empowering Neurologist Podcast

From Birth to (Micro)Biome

10 May 2015 · 1 min

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In this excerpt from his talk, Dr. David Perlmutter explains why breastfeeding is advantageous for establishing a healthy infant microbiome. He notes that breast milk supplies brain‑supporting nutrients such as DHA, omega‑3 fatty acids, protein, and prebiotic fibers that foster beneficial bacterial growth. He also highlights that during nursing the infant receives bacteria from the mother’s skin, contributing to microbial colonization. Additionally, he points out the strong psychological bond formed between mother and baby during breastfeeding. Based on these factors, he recommends choosing to breastfeed whenever possible to promote a robust microbiome and overall health in the child.

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In Brain Maker, we really explore the idea of choosing to breastfeed if at all possible because not only does breast milk contain certain things like high levels of brain-strengthening DHA and omega-3, levels of protein, actual prebiotics to enhance the growth of bacteria, but during the process of breastfeeding, that child is gaining bacteria from the skin of the mother. There's also a lot of psychological connection between the baby and mother during the process of breastfeeding. So at least from the perspective of building a healthy microbiome in your baby, choosing to breastfeed really makes a lot of sense.