Your baby's microbiome
Subtitle: the critical role of vaginal birth and breastfeeding for lifelong health
By: Toni Harman and Alex Wakeford
Contributors: Wakeford, Alex, author
Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing
Published: 2017
Language: eng
Number of pages: 194
ISBN-13: 9781603586955
Subjects: Breastfeeding; Human body; Pathogenic microorganisms; Immune system; Microbiology; Bacteria; Health aspects; Childbirth; Children
Description: "From the Directors of the Award-Winning Documentary <Microbirth> : At least two amazing events happen during childbirth. There's the obvious main event, which is the emergence of a new human into the world. But there's another event taking place simultaneously, a crucial event that is not visible to the naked eye, an event that could determine the lifelong health of the baby. This is the seeding of the baby's microbiome, the community of "good" bacteria that we carry with us throughout our lives. The seeding of the microbiome, along with breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact, kick-starts the baby's immune system and helps protect the infant from disease across a lifetime. Researchers are discovering, however, that interventions such as the use of synthetic oxytocin, antibiotics, C-sections, and formula feeding interfere with, or bypass completely, the microbial transfer from mother to baby. These bacteria are vital for human health, and science has linked an imbalance in the human microbiome with 2016042186 multiple chronic diseases. Drawing on the extensive research they carried out for their documentary film Microbirth, authors Toni Harman and Alex Wakeford reveal a fascinating new view of birth and how microscopic happenings can have lifelong consequences, for ourselves, our children--and our species as a whole"--
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 159-180) and index.
Table of contents: title: 1. What is the human microbiome?; title: 2. What do bacteria have to do with birth?; title: 3. Breast milk or formula?; title: 4. What is the impact of cesarean section on the microbiome?; title: 5. What is the role of bacteria in training the infant immune system?; title: 6. How is the mother's microbiome passed onto future generations?; title: 7. Is there a link between cesarean sections and disease?; title: 8. What is the impact on humanity as a whole?; title: 9. What are the solutions?