I’m sure in the midst of a pandemic, we are more aware of the unseen world of microorganisms than ever before. No… this episode is not about the Corona Virus, but rather about something magnificent & wonderful… and often overlooked. We talk about the trillions of bacteria that inhabit your gut and other bodily regions. They have a critical impact on your overall health. The same holds true for babies.
The microbiome is important for many aspects of health, from gut health to mental health to immune health, and research shows that the first couple of months of life is a really critical window for its development.
Recent studies suggest that babies whose microbiome development is disrupted via a C-section delivery, early antibiotic use, limited breastfeeding, or other factors are at greater risk for a host of health conditions. These include asthma and allergies, irritable bowel disease, respiratory infections, type 1 diabetes and obesity.
Fortunately, research also suggest that no matter how a baby is born, parents can take steps to get baby's bacterial ecosystem off to a good start.
My guest on this week’s episode is Toni Harman. Producer & Director of the multi award-winning MICROBIRTH movie. She explains how science strongly supports vaginal birth (when possible), immediate skin-to-skin and exclusive breastfeeding.
Here’s what we covered:
· Intro & Welcome
· Toni Harman
· Define microbiome and more specifically, the infant microbiome
· Where, when & how do babies acquire the microorganisms they need for optimal health
· Are there any studies that show the long-term effect it can have on the baby’s health, (also later in life as a toddler, child or as an adult), if the baby did not acquire that “perfect” and “complete” microbiome during and after birth
· What happens to the microbiome during a caesarean. Where everything, even the mother’s skin, is sterilized and free of microbes.
· What practical things can we do and include in our Caesarean birth plan, should a birth turn out that way, to ensure our baby still gets as much of the good microbes as possible
· The importance of exclusive breastfeeding & having the right support from the get-go
· Getting back to nature & why it’s important for our health
Please get in touch if you have any questions and remember to look out for more episodes in the coming weeks.
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Yours In Birth,
Carla
PS - Be sure to join our hypnobirthing antenatal class! We want to see YOU have the birth of your dreams. You’ll have access to an IBCLC and we help you setup your perfect birth plan, plus we teach you how to discuss this with your care provider… and SO MUCH MORE! Remember, preparing for a natural birth is key to achieving it.
Links Mentioned in this episode:
Birth Serenity Antenatal Class Sign-Up