The Influence of Maternal Lifestyle Factors on Human Breast Milk Microbial Composition: A Narrative Review

HBM microbiota is influenced by several factors, including gestational age, delivery method, medical treatments, lactation stage, and maternal lifestyle habits such as diet, exercise, sleep quality, smoking, alcohol use, and stress. Notably, lifestyle factors can significantly shape HBM microbiota by directly affecting its microbial composition or by altering the maternal gut microbiota, which then impacts HBM microbes via the enteromammary pathway. This review summarizes the current understanding of how maternal lifestyle influences HBM microbiota.