How GOS/FOS prebiotics support your baby’s immune system 

Breastmilk is recognised as the gold standard nutrition for babies, and is rich in powerful prebiotics called HMOs² (Human Milk Oligosaccharides).

When breastmilk isn’t available, formulas fortified with GOS and FOS can offer some of these benefits², and act as nutrients for your baby's gut flora.

They reach the intestine undigested and provide fuel to your baby’s gut microbiome by selectively helping the good bacteria to grow.

This creates a balanced and thriving gut environment which is vital from the very beginning of your baby’s life and contributes to the development of their immune system.

GOS is naturally found in plant foods such as legumes, nuts (cashews and pistachios) and soy beans. You can find FOS in foods like onions, garlic, asparagus, banana and artichokes. 

In formula, GOS is made from lactose (a type of milk sugar) and FOS is obtained from chicory (a vegetable).

What makes GOS and FOS special is their ability to be cleverly broken down exclusively by the good bacteria.

When these good bacteria ‘eat’ GOS and FOS prebiotics, this promotes the growth of good bacteria and prevents bad bacteria from flourishing. This happens through a process called selective fermentation, which is key to maintaining a thriving gut environment. 

In 1994, Nutricia Research (the research centre behind Aptamil) developed a unique prebiotic blend of 90% GOS and 10% FOS (9:1 GOS/FOS), closely resembling the structure of HMOs found in breastmilk. 

This special 9:1 GOS/FOS blend supports the digestive system and can help to protect against harmful bacteria, as well as supporting your baby’s immune system.

Prebiotics can also help your baby digest food better and absorb nutrients more efficiently. This contributes to a happier and more comfortable tummy for your baby.

Additionally, GOS and FOS do more than just feed the good bacteria, they also energise the cells lining the intestinal tract.

This strengthens the gut wall barrier which creates an essential defence line for the body and reduces inflammation.

Did you know that the intestine also contains the largest proportion of immune cells in the body³? 

Therefore, GOS and FOS not only supports the digestive system, but they also lay the foundation for a robust immune system from the earliest stages of life.

Bifidobacteria is the most abundant type of beneficial bacteria growing in the guts of breastfed babies⁴.

As they dominate, it stops the bad or more harmful bacteria from attaching to the intestinal wall and growing in the gut.

The good news is that a number of studies show that babies who drank formula enriched with the 9:1 GOS/FOS blend had more Bifidobacteria in their stools⁵.  

Their stools were also softer and looked a lot more like those of breastfed babies⁶.  

Breastmilk has many beneficial components and is rich in prebiotics. Understanding prebiotics like HMOs, GOS and FOS allows you to make informed nutritional choices for your baby.

The specialised 9:1 GOS/FOS blend found in some formula milk supports not just gut health and immune function but also contributes to softer stools and reduced inflammation⁸. 

It also plays a crucial role in laying the foundation for a healthy gut microbiome during the early years of life. Research suggests that nurturing a diverse and balanced gut microbiome in infancy can have long-lasting effects on overall health throughout childhood and into adulthood.

Therefore, incorporating prebiotics into your baby's diet from an early age can set them on the path to optimal digestive health and support the immune system for years to come.