Abstract
BACKGROUND: The oral microbiome of breastfed infants is distinct from that of formula-fed infants. However, breastfeeding characteristics, such as time spent breastfeeding (min/24 h), breastfeeding frequency (number of breastfeeds per day), and human milk intake (ml/day) vary significantly between breastfeeding dyads. OBJECTIVES: Given that human milk and breastfeeding exposures likely influence early colonisation of the infant oral microbiome, this study aimed to elucidate the impact of breastfeeding characteristics on the development of the infant oral microbiome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oral swabs (n = 55) were collected from infants at three months of age, alongside breastfeeding data collected over a 24-hour period. Bacterial DNA profiles were analysed using full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing. RESULTS: Variations in breastfeeding characteristics contributed to differences in microbial community structure. Total breastfeeding duration (min/24 h) was positively associated with Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus gasseri, while breastfeeding frequency was negatively associated with Veillonella sp. Additionally, human milk intake (ml/24 h) was negatively associated with Streptococcus parasanguinis. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the significant influence of early life feeding practices on oral microbial communities and emphasise the importance role of breastfeeding in shaping the oral microbiome during early life.