This invention relates to a preparation comprising a probiotic bacterial strain and a prebiotic mixture comprising 5-70 wt % of at least one N-acetylated oligosaccharide selected from the group consisting of Ga1NAcα1-3Ga1β1-4G1c, Ga1β1-6Ga1Nacα1-3Ga1β1-4G1c and combinations thereof, 20-95 wt % of at least one neutral oligosaccharide selected from the group consisting of Galβ1-6Gal, Galβ1-6Galβ1-4Glc, Galβ1-6Galβ1-6Glc, Galβ1-3Galβ1-3Glc, Galβ1-3Galβ1-4Glc, Galβ1-6Galβ1-6Galβ1-4Glc, Galβ1-6Galβ1-3Galβ1-4Glc, Galβ1-3Galβ1-6Galβ1-4Glc, Galβ1-3Galβ1-3Galβ1-4Glc and combinations thereof and 2-50 wt % of at least one sialylated oligosaccharide selected from the group consisting of NeuAcα2-3Galβ1-4Glc, NeuAcα2-6Ga1β1-4G1c and combinations thereof. The invention extends to food products comprising said preparation and to the use of the preparation in the prevention and treatment of infections.