Your Baby's Microbiome: The Critical Role of Vaginal Birth and Breastfeeding for Lifelong Health

by Toni Harman, Alex Wakeford

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 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.

Genres: Parenting, Health

208 pages, Paperback

First published February 3, 2017

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skimmed through parts, but the information about c-section vs vaginal birth and the difference in health outcomes is fascinating!

[Emily Monroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is interesting but so inconclusive that it is repetitive and non-committal. The microbiome is fascinating, but research in this area is so new that it is hard to draw conclusions. The authors share many implications about the birth process and how the links to non-communicable diseases, but at this point it is correlation, not causation, with only a small discussion to that end in the second-to-last chapter. The book shares interesting science, but ultimately it is a plea for research funding, not conclusive information for expectant moms.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars because of the importance of the topic.
The book itself was extremely repetitive and depressing. Looking for information about the impact of vaginal birth or a C-section and breastfeeding on the child? Go ahead.
Looking for solutions on how to reverse the damage of a C-section and bottled milk ( and antibiotics in the early years)? I'm sorry. You're not going to find the solutions in this book.

[Emily Fiorentino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book blew my mind. My mom says all the time “there’s no such thing as a free lunch” and my instincts were really validated in this book that there are more downsides to C-sections (and other medical intervention) than just having abdominal surgery or interfering with crucial early bonding. You just can’t cheat nature!!!! (unless it’s a medical necessity in which case you absolutely should)!!!!!!

I knew the basics of babies getting good microbes as they go through the vagina but I couldn’t even have fathomed the wide spread public health and epigenetic ramifications of how we’re born. Required reading for everyone planning on ever having a baby but maybe also for everyone.

Read this for my doula certification.

[Jessie Renie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read, just need more research on this topic. I think what the authors said REALLY hits home, we may have a huge epidemic on our hands and become bankrupt from our own medical issues. If countries truly want to save money we need to look at birth and leave birth be unless there's an emergency! Boo to private companies/industry, this IS a public health issue.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the book repetitive.
Since I’ve researched the topic so extensively, I finished the book feeling like I hadn’t really learned anything I didn’t already know. Although if I was new to the topic, maybe I’d get more out of it.

[Erika McBee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unbelievably repetitive.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an important and fascinating subject. The book itself, after the first few chapters, was boring and repetitive. I pretty much skimmed most of the middle.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Important topic but the information contained could be found in a detailed article on the Internet.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely some great information in here but as others are saying, it’s quite repetitive, making it kind of hard to get through.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book! Never really gave much thought to a baby's environment before it was born. I agree it is in it's own biome! Fact-filed, thought provoking book. I think expectant parents ought to read this book. It's really right up there with What To Expect When You Are Expecting. Must read!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great educational book explaining the science of digestion and how important it is once they are born! I lent a friend this book and she referrs back to it on several occasions.