Disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT) or variants, isomers, analogs and derivatives thereof to prevent or inhibit bowel disease

1. An infant formula or baby food comprising a formulation that is substantially free of non-disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DSLNT) oligosaccharides, which comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and an isolated compound selected from the group consisting of α-Neu5Ac-(2→3)-α-Gal-(1→3)-[α-Neu5Ac-(2→6)]-β-GlcNAc-(1→3)-β-Gal-(1→4)-Glc, α-Neu5Ac-(2→3)-β-Gal-(1→3)-[α-Neu5Ac-(2→6)]-α-GlcNAc-(1→3)-β-Gal-(1→4)-Glc, α-Neu5Ac-(2→3)-β-Gal-(1→3)-[α-Neu5Ac-(2→6)]-β-GlcNAc-(1→3)-β-Gal-(1→4)-Glc, β-Neu5Ac-(2→3)-β-Gal-(1→3)-[α-Neu5Ac-(2→6)]-β-GlcNAc-(1→3)-β-Gal-(1→4)-Glc, and α-Neu5Ac-(2→3)-β-Gal-(1→3)-[β-Neu5Ac-(2→6)]-β-GlcNAc-(1→3)-β-Gal-(1→4)-Glc,

wherein the formulation comprises at least 800 μM or greater of the compound.

2. The infant formula or baby food of claim 1 , which is a liquid, a gel, or a solid.

3. The infant formula or baby food of claim 1 , wherein the formulation additionally comprises a probiotic.

4. The infant formula or baby food of claim 3 , wherein the probiotic comprises bacterial species from the genera Bifidobacteria and/or Lactobacilli.

5. The infant formula of claim 1 further comprising a vitamin and/or mineral.